With a thoroughly exhausted plot and lack of logical flow, Nenu Local fails to distinguish itself from the slew of recent Telugu romantic comedies, making it watchable only for Nani's natural performance, Devi Sri Prasad's melodies and some well-penned dialogues.

SYNOPSIS

Babu (Nani) finally graduates with a degree in Engineering after the help of a frustrated exam proctor and refuses to think about the future. While idly hanging out with his friends, he is confronted by Keerthi (Keerthy Suresh) who mistakes him for an eve teaser who had been harrasing her friend. Soon after the misunderstanding is cleared, Babu announces his love for her and beings to stalk and annoy her in an effort to gain her affection. What he doesn't realize, however, is that the key to gaining her hand in marriage is through her father's approval.

WHAT WORKED

– Nani's performance is naturally charming as usual and he seems to have worked on his dancing skills for the film. He delivers the emotional and comedic dialogues with equal ease.

– Keerthy Suresh is cute and has more scope for emotion in Nenu Local than in her debut film, Nenu Sailaja.

– Devi Sri Prasad's music is a hit, with Next Enti and Arere Yekkada being two of the most popular numbers of the album.

WHAT DIDN'T

– The plot is entirely too familiar for a Telugu audience.

– Some of the scenes don't have a consistent flow of logic and it isn't explained how Babu has such a strong local presence for being someone who struggled to pass Engineering and hasn't done anything for the people.

– It isn't explained why Babu refused to get a decent paying job. Sure, love is important, but so is financial stability. These types of sentiments are misguided, because taking care of those you love is a responsibility.

VIDEOS

Nani Shines in an Average Telugu Rom ComGeetha - Part 12017-01-21T00:00:00+00:002017-01-21T00:00:00+00:00/Geetha

The only thing Rajesh could think about while boarding the plane was how much he wished it were headed to Cancun, Mexico instead of Hyderabad, India. The soft, warm sand pressing against his skin and refreshingly cool waves splashing at his feet while he shares drinks with Matt and Thanish and they recall the funny, and not-so-funny, incidents that had occurred during the two years that they had shared an apartment while pursuing their master’s degrees; he hadn’t seen the two of them in three years and the images of everything he had planned on doing this weekend kept playing in his mind. He tried to ignore them as he made his way through the aisle of outstretched legs and luggage that had not yet been properly stored towards his seat. Shoving his travel bag into the overhead compartment, he settled into the seat next to the small rectangular window and stared outside. It was still a little foggy from the early morning chill and the view of the plane at the adjacent terminal was distorted by the small drops of water that still layered the outer pane of glass. A small vehicle passed by, transporting luggage to wherever their next destination was.

Rajesh knew he shouldn’t be feeling this way. It was an emergency (he had known that as soon as he had heard his father’s voice on the other end of the phone). His grandmother had passed away unexpectedly and he had to find the earliest flight the next day so that he could attend the cremation ceremony. He had never been that close to his grandmother; his parents had sent him off to a boarding school in a different state at a young age and then abroad once he started high school. Still, she was family and it was his father on the phone, so he knew he had to attend. He hadn’t heard from his father since the incident that happened the last time they had spoken on the phone, but his voice had sounded so different, so weak; he could tell his father was shaken. Rajesh shuddered at the thought of his own mother passing away; hopefully that wouldn’t be for a very long time.

“Excuse me son, I think you’re sitting in the wrong seat?”

Rajesh looked away from the window to face a large, elderly man with a gruff, white beard that contrasted with his darker skin and thick glasses. He looked like he was about to attend a business meeting, wearing a light brown blazer and a pair of navy blue slacks with a tie that matched. His left eyebrow was raised in impatience and Rajesh felt partially relieved. He wasn’t much for making small talk, especially not right now, but this man didn’t seem like he was looking for an awkwardly social nine-hour flight either.

“Yeah, don’t worry.” Rajesh replied, getting up to exchange positions, “I’m sitting next to you. Just wanted to look outside for a while until you boarded…I hope that’s alright.”

“No, no problem at all as long as I get to keep my seat.”

Rajesh watched as the man squeezed through the small space in between the seats and settled into the one he had just occupied. Boarding was almost complete and the flight attendants were making their way down the aisles to make sure everyone had their seatbelts fastened. Rajesh reached into his travel bag for his tablet, only to realize that he had forgotten to charge it. Dejected, he put it back in the bag and stretched his legs before sitting back down. Before he could settle in, his seat slightly angled forward. He glanced behind him to see a little boy pushing his feet against the back of his seat while watching a video of Bugs Bunny on his mother’s phone. His mother was sitting next to him and gave him an exhausted smile. He turned back around and reached for one of the magazines in front of him; this was going to be a long ride.

“Are these yours?”

Rajesh was just getting into a riveting article about the importance of Ayurvedic medicine from a tourist magazine, but he welcomed the distraction and glanced over at the small purple pack of Bourbon biscuits that the man was holding up. He patted the pockets of his jacket but they were empty.

“Yes! Sorry about that.” He took the packet from the man’s hands and took one out, shaking his head. They must’ve fallen out of his pocket earlier.

“That’s alright.” The man replied, watching him as he ate the biscuit. Rajesh hesitated for a moment, but it seemed impolite to not offer the man any after he had found them.

“Would you like some?” He offered the pack to the man, who eyed it carefully.

“I really shouldn’t…”

Rajesh was about to put it back in his bag when the man changed his mind.

“Sure, why not.” The man delicately took a biscuit out of the pack and examined the sugary coating before popping it into his mouth. He closed his eyes and chewed slowly, and Rajesh wondered how long it had been since the last time he had had that much sugar.

As if he could read his thoughts, the old man said, “Borderline diabetes. Aarti tries her best to keep me away from sweets. I haven’t had one of these in years!”

Noting Rajesh’s confusion, he grinned. “Aarti, she’s my wife.”

Rajesh smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

A brief moment passed before the man asked, “What about you? Are you married?”

Rajesh shook his head and the man nodded, proceeding to crack a wise joke about how Rajesh was lucky to still have his freedom. Rajesh laughed in courtesy but he wasn’t really listening anymore. As much as he had tried to stop thinking about her for what felt like longer than six months, some thing or another always ended up trigging her memories and now he pretended to go back to reading his magazine while his thoughts turned back to her. Kristen, leaning against his shoulder on top of a rocky hill when they went on a hike together for the first time; Kristen, lying with him on his faded, stripped green couch at his old apartment, telling him about her parents and how they had fallen in love at Goa; Kristen, with her curly, light brown hair that she had once attempted to braid after he had told her how he found that attractive and the adorable, small dimples that formed on her cheeks every time he tickled her legs.

Was he married?

He had wanted to be, about a year ago, while he was taking an evening walking down Riverside Park with Kristen, his hand around her waist, their fingers locked together in her coat pocket as they hugged to share warmth against the Fall breeze. She had just moved to the city, which meant that they would be able to see each other more often again, and he had felt lucky to be with her and to have been with her for the past couple of years. Rajesh had never really thought about his future since most of his life had been a path that was laid out for him by his parents, but he thought about it that day and he knew that he wanted her to be a part of it. He made a resolve to tell his parents about Kristen and to try to convince them to accept her; he knew they wouldn’t approve in the beginning. If he had known that they wouldn’t approve at all, no matter how much he pleaded, then maybe he would have never gone out with Kristen in the first place. It would have saved them from the heartache, which was all they had left now.

Rajesh sighed. These were the things that he had wanted to discuss with Matt and Thanish so badly, but instead he was stuck with—

“…to Hyderabad?”

It took Rajesh a moment to realize that the man was talking to him again. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. Could you repeat that?”

“It’s fine. I was just asking, what is taking you to Hyderabad?”

“Well…if everything goes as planned, then that would be this plane.”

The man stared at him for a second and then began laughing a deep laugh. “I see what you did there!”

It really wasn’t a good joke, but Rajesh pretended to laugh along anyways.

“No really, tell me, why are you going to Hyderabad?”

“Well…it’s kind of a family emergency.”

“Oh…” The man stopped smiling and the serious expression he had maintained earlier returned on his face. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“That’s alright. It is what it is. So, what about you?"

“Yes, I…I’m actually attending a college reunion.”

“Really?” It was Rajesh’s turn to raise his eyebrows, and he eyed the man’s white beard again. “How many years?”

“Twenty-five years.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, it…it feels really strange actually. Surprising that it’s been so long already.”

Looking at the man, Rajesh wanted to say he didn’t think it was surprising, but he decided not to; he was starting to like the guy a little. Though it didn’t compare with the kick of cracking constant jokes on Thanish with Matt, talking to this man kept him preoccupied, which meant less time thinking about the real awkwardness that he would have to face at home; he hadn’t been home since the whole incident with Kristen and he had no idea what kind of a welcome was waiting for him there.

“That’s actually kind of cool. I don’t even know if I’d attend a college reunion after twenty-five years…it’s hard enough to keep in touch with my best friends from college right now. I mean, everyone’s so busy with their own lives.”

The man nodded. “There’s a chance I’ll meet someone there who went to college around the time I did and who still remembers me, but it’s a pretty small chance. But that’s not the main reason I’m going there. Every year, Aarti and I help fund one or two low-income students so that they can get a college education.”

“That’s really nice! Very considerate of you and your wife.”

He smiled. “Thank you. You know, we never properly introduced ourselves.”

“That’s true, I guess the misunderstanding with the seats didn’t help.”

The man chuckled and shook his head. “Pardon me for that, I didn’t mean to sound rude or anything. Tight spaces make me queasy, so I prefer to sit next to the window so I can look outside, that’s all.”

“Oh, that’s alright.” Rajesh held out his hand. “I’m Raj.”

“Of what kingdom?” the man jested, shaking his hand.

“I wish. It’s short for Rajesh.”

“I’m Krish. Short for Krishna.”

“But you don’t have thousands of other wives, right?” Rajesh mockingly raised his eyebrow.

“Oh, I wish.” He grinned and shook his head, “No, trust me, one wife is more than enough for a lifetime.”

To be continued...

Rajesh, a financial analyst in New York, is returning home to India after a long time and is finally forced to address his suppressed emotions and fears as his destination and familial reunion appraoch.Shatamanam Bhavati2017-01-17T00:00:00+00:002017-01-17T00:00:00+00:00/Shatamanam-Bhavati

Though Shatamanam Bhavati is slow and has a thin plot, it's beautiful visuals and touching family values make it a relatable journey, especially for those who have emigrated abroad, and may even leave you with a sense of nostalgia.

SYNOPSIS

An elderly couple, Raghava Raju (Prakash Raj) and Janakama (Jayasudha), are living alone in an ancestral village home after their three children have settled abroad in different countries and fail to visit them for many years. Their cousin's grandson, Raju (Sharwanand), lives with them and takes care of the village, making inventions and helping his friends find work without having to leave their families to go to the city. When Janakamma delivers an ultimatum by asking Raghava Raju to make their children and their families visit home for the Sankranthi festival, he creates a desperate plan that shocks the everyone, but is successful in bringing them together. As the festivities go on, the siblings deal with various issues and their bonds strengthen as they beging to realize the value of spending quality time with each other and with their parents.

WHAT WORKED

– Shatamanam Bhavati's biggest strength is its emotional quotient that strengthens as the film progresses. Viewers who are abroad can easily connect with the nostalgia for childhood memories and the inability to spend more time with those who really matter back in India. While the plot is quite simple, it is effective and, having grown up in the U.S. myself, I could relate to the film a lot.

– The dialogues are witty and meaningful and the scenes are clean and enteratining, making this a perfect Sankranthi film.

– The casting for Shatamanam Bhavati is pretty good; Prakash Raj and Jayasudha are perfect as the elderly couple who miss their children and Sharwanand fits well as the lovable and persuasive friend, family member and lover. Anupama Parameswaran is cute as the granddaughter who falls in love with the village atmosphere and her chemistry with Sharwanand works really well. Naresh also delviers a funny, yet touching performance as Sharwanand's father.

– The film covers the festivities and village scenery in beautiful frames and Mickey J. Meyer's background music and songs are apt for the film's content.

– Satish Vegesna had a good idea of what he wanted the film to be like and was successfsul. There are no unneccessary or poorly developer comedy tracks, only natural comedy and relatable characters and emotions.

WHAT DIDN'T

– The narration of the film is slow and mellow, so the it might not appeal to all viewers.

– There are a couple of scenes that could have been shortened to help the screenplay feel crisper and remove any sense of drag; more stringent editing could have easily alleviated this mild issue.

VIDEOS

An Emmotional Journey for Those Away From HomeKhaidi No. 1502017-01-15T00:00:00+00:002017-01-15T00:00:00+00:00/Khaidi-No-150

By playing "safe" and following a commercial formula to mark a successful re-entry into movies for Chiranjeevi, Khaidi No. 150 turns the plight of modern farmers into a poorly concocted film that is, ironically, devoid of genuine comedy or wholesome entertainment; this one is purely for the fans who want to see the Boss back in action.

SYNOPSIS

"Kaththi" Seenu (Chiranjeevi), also known as Khaidi No. 150, escapes from prison and is about to fly to Bangkok when he sees Lakshmi (Kajal Aggarwal), who looks similar to his childhood sweetheart. After failed attempts at wooing her, Seenu returns to his former plan of flying abroad when he witnesses a group of people shooting someone in a car. Upon intervening, he sees an injured Shankar (Chiranjeevi) and exchanges identities with him in order get the police off his track until he is able to secure the money he needs to escape abroad. When a minister mistakes Seenu for Shankar and offers him a large amount money, Seenu accepts and takes Shankar's place at an Old Age Home where he learns about Shankar and his fight for securing farmers' lands in his village and is faced with a personal dilemna: will he take the cash and run away or will he refuse and fight for those who are unable to fight for what is rightfully theirs?

WHAT WORKED

– I haven't seen Kaththi in Tamil so I can't compare the two, but the story of Khaidi No. 150 which was inspired by the former is focused around a prominent issue. The film does a good job of portraying its severity and explaining the various careless ways in which capitalistic development is hurting villages and farmers. These emotional scenes are the strongest part of the film.

– I found one of the fighting scenes and the way in which Seenu handles the situation after the climax to be intriguing. Chiranjeevi was also most effective in these scenes where he was able to display his aptitude in emoting long dialogues and more serious emotions.

– Devi Sri Prasad's background score and the song "Neeru Neeru" worked well in depicting the plight of the farmers.

– Chiranjeevi's ability to portray two different characters was evident and his performance as Shankar in the flashback reminded me of some of his previous performances. His performance as Seenu after the interval was also quite powerful.

WHAT DIDN'T

– I appreciate Chiranjeevi for his fabulous and natural performances in many of his previous films, but I found his portrayal of (pre-interval) Seenu to be somewhat artifical and overdone. He is a seasoned actor and I think he could have put together a better, more nuanced performance for that character if he really tried.

– A lot of the scenes in the film reminded me of previous films, making it very predicatable.

– The attempts at comedy in the film miss their mark more often than not. Who's clever idea was it to include a joke about raping women in the midst? It's not funny.

– The romance between Seenu and Lakshmi...there was barely any and what little there was was pretty atrocious. If you're gonna rope in an actress who is much younger, at least justfy it with some solid scenes that make it more believable for the audience. It seems like Kajal was in this film just for the songs and, while she looks beautiful, the pairing is certainly odd and made me wonder if she really needed to be in the movie at all. Successful films like Dangal have already proven that the Indian (even the Telugu) audience is willing to watch a good movie even if it doesn't have a romantic angle attached to it.

– Most of the fighting in this film is routine, but the climax fight sequence is especially bad. Why did they bring those tough fighters at the end if he was gonna beat them up with one punch anyways? It wasn't depicted well and took away any little credibility there was up until that point.

– The songs are irrelevant to the film and are forced into it at odd times. Though a few are catchy, they're below expectations and seeing Chiranjeevi dance suggestively with Kajal in "Ammadu Let's Do Kummudu" and with Lakshmi Rai in "Ratthalu" was a bit weird for me.

– Ram Charan had a completely useless cameo in the middle of a song. He just appeared, danced and left and it made no sense, but I guess fans don't need logic.

There were a lot of great Telugu songs that were produced in 2016 and this video, directed by Harish Nagaraj and featuring Manisha Eerabathini's (from Padutha Theeyaga USA) beautiful vocals and Karthik Rodriguez's effective mixing, seamlessly blends some of the best into one entertaining mashup.

I really enjoyed the rendering of Pakka Local and Telusa Telusa. What about you?

VIDEO

Which song is your favorite?Best of Manasulo Maatalu 20162017-01-05T00:00:00+00:002017-01-05T00:00:00+00:00/Best-of-Manasulo-Maatalu-2016

SUMMARY

I started Manasulo Maatalu in 2016 and it's been a fun ride ever since. Looking back at the journey, I've compiled a list of the most popular posts and reviews on Manasulo Maatalu in case you missed anything.

Everyone knows about Devi Sri Prasad and Thaman, but there are a number of upcoming musicians out there that you've probably never heard of. Check out these five Telugu music videos from independent artists and encourage private music albums because diversity helps bring new ideas and keeps music fresh.

From the iconic scene in Bommarillu where a son explains how his father's love can be overbearing to the dramatic race for revenge in Nannaku Prematho, this Top 10 list compiles some of our favorite emotional sequences regarding fathers in the past decade.

Rajinikanth, Vikram, Suriya, Dhanush. Tamil stars are no strangers to Telugu and for good reason; they provide some quality entertainment with their dubbed films. Here's a compilation of some of the best Tamil movies that have been dubbed into Telugu in the past decade of Telugu cinema.

A small movie that smashed the box office by surprise, Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada is a refreshing addition to the horror-comedy genre. With a cast of some of the most popular upcoming Telugu film industry aritsts, upbeat music and a script to match, how could this movie not be intriguing?

The Malayalam modern classic was remade in Telugu and mesmerized the audience despite the initial backlash against fans who didn't believe the cast was up for the challenge. Despite the familarity of the story, the entertaining narration, wonderful lead performances and beautiful music make this a must watch.

Nani is possibly the most popular rising star of the Telugu film industry and it makes sense why. He's been on a roll ever since Bhale Bhale Magadivoy last year and, out of his three releases this year, Gentleman is certainly the best. Gripping suspense, catchy tunes and the debut of Niveda Thomas make this one memorable.

The most successful Telugu film of 2016 in the overseas market, A Aa showed Trivikram's brand power at the box office despite the absence of a major leading star - or, at least, that's what other websites have been saying. Samantha is at the primer of her career though and this film is her show throughout as she charms the audience in this portrayal of the classic novel and remake of the yesteryear film, Meena .

The movie review that started it all, this was the first review that I posted and received positive feedback from. While many other reviews have praised Soggade Chinni Nayana for it's "entertainment", my review took a different approach, analyzing the reasons behind why the Telugu audience found this movie entertaining despite its misogyny. Read the article to find out why we deserve better from seasoned and respected actors like Nagarjuna who have a large influence on the youth.

The 10 most popular articles and reviews from Manasulo Maatalu in 2016Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:002017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00/Intlo-Deyyam-Nakem-Bhayam

Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam tries to repeat the success of previous hits of the horror-comedy genre, but lacks orginality and clarity, making it an below-average affair of slapstick comedy and clichéd romance.

SYNOPSIS

The head of a band that plays at weddings, Naresh (Allari Naresh) falls in love with a pious woman (Kruthika Jayakumar) who looks after orphans. He receives a call from a business man (Rajendra Prasad) who mistakes him for a swamiji and offers him a large payment if he can rid the man's new mansion of a residing spirit that is preventing the man's daughter's marriage. Desperate for cash to save a little girl's life, Naresh agrees, but it doesn't take long for him to realize that the spirit is real and very much out of his control.

WHAT WORKED

– A few comedic dialogues were cleverly penned and provide some much needed humor in the first half of the film.

– Kruthika Jayakumar plays a limited role, but her presence is still a plus for the film. She should pick better roles in the future.

– The suspense of the spirit's backstory was aptly delayed, maintaing some level of suspesne in the first half of the film.

WHAT DIDN'T

– At best, Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam is a mixture of scenes found in other horror-comedy films. After the first half, the rest of the film is entirely predictable and the quality of the comedy tanks as the characters and events become absurd and unrealistic.

– The performances of the cast were often exaggerated and irritating. Even experienced actors like Brahmanandam and Rajendra Prasad failed to elevate the poorly written characters.

– There is a lot of repetition throughout the film, with the same style of humor being used again and again despite the loss of effectiveness.

– The film fails to maintain a set of rules pertaining to what the spirit can and cannot do. Without a clear idea of what the rules are, it is hard to become emotionally invested in the characters and understand what really is at stake.

– The animation of the spirit seems rudimentary at times. There are films that have evoked more horror with little to no visual effects, so the budget of the film isn't really a factor here; it's all about the style in which the spirit is portrayed.

– The way the ending was handled was poor; the director should have either provided closure for the audience or put more effort in maintaing the suspense.

VIDEOS

Doesn't Bring Anything New to a Rapidly Saturating GenreMinimalist Posters of Some of the Best Telugu Movies of 20162016-12-20T00:00:00+00:002016-12-20T00:00:00+00:00/Minimalist-Posters-of-Some-of-the-Best-Telugu-Movies-of-2016

To celebrate some of the best Telugu films that were relesed this year, I created a set of minimalist posters. I couldn't cover some of the films that I haven't seen yet, so the list is by no means complete. Hope you enjoy them!

Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada

Nikhil Siddharth, Nandita Swetha, Hebah Patel, Vi Anand

Minimalist posters of the highest rated Telugu films in 2016 by Manasulo Maatalu5 Telugu Music Videos to Watch Right Now2016-12-11T00:00:00+00:002016-12-11T00:00:00+00:00/FIve-Telugu-Music-Videos-to-Watch-Right-Now

Keeravani, Devi Sri Prasad, Thaman, Gopi Sundar. If you think Telugu music is only limited to these names and are craving some fresh tunes, you need to watch these five music videos right now!

Enduke

Rahul Silpigunj

Smooth chords, a pleasant voice and a catchy tune make Enduke instantly likeable. Rahul Silpigunj is a playback singer who's trying to make a name for himself by producing private music videos, and Enduke is easily one of his best. If you've ever been through a broken relationship, then you should check this one out!

Em Maayalo

Rahul Silpigunj

Love strikes when you least expect it - That's how Rahul's Em Maayalo starts and it'll find its own place in your heart once you've heard its tune. The lyrics are penned beautifully Vengi, who also penned Rahul's Enduke; it seems like Rahul's learned a lesson or two on how to make hit songs from singing so many of them.

Jimpak Chipak

MC Mike, MC Uneek, Sunny Austin & Om Sripathi

Hyderabadi mass rap. That basically sums up this really catchy collaboration by MC Mike, MC Uneek, Sunny Austin and Om Sripathi, four indepenent Telugu rappers. The song went viral and has more than 7 million views on YouTube til date. It might not be your cup of chai, but it's worth checking out!

Neeve

Phani Kalyan, Yazin Nazir & Sameera Bharadwaj

Phani Kalyan's recent viral hit, Neeve, is beautifully choregraphed by Vishwakiran Nambi and is the perfect blend of classical and western styles. Released in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, the romantic dance video starring Shreya Deshpande and Niranjan Harish recently surpassed a million views for the Telugu version. If you haven't seen it yet, watch it once and you'll keep coming back!

Chandamama

Phani Kalyan, Yazin Nazir & Manasi M.M.

After taking the media by storm with Neeve, Phani Kalyan quickly followed up with the pleasand melody, Chandamama. Props to him for his consistent success! Filmed in beautiful locations, the song seems dreamy and stars Arjun Kalyan and Pujita Ponnada, a pair of popular actors in Telugu short films. Check out the song and then check out some of their short films while you're at it!

Private music production should be a bigger deal in Telugu and other Indian languages because it allows for more musical variety and freedom. Besides, more music is hardly a bad thing. These are just five of my favorites that I wanted to share; there are some more songs out there from these and other artists. Feel free to share your own favorites in the comments!

Because Music Shouldn't Be Limited To MoviesJanatha Garage2016-12-05T00:00:00+00:002016-12-05T00:00:00+00:00/Janatha-Garage

With a star-studded cast and a director with a hit-streak, Janatha Garage was poised to take the box office by storm when it released. Despite its financial success, however, I found the film to be somewhat disappointing.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Synopsis

Sathyam runs an automotive garage called Janatha Garage in Hyderabad that serves as a front for an organization that solves problems that the general public face from corrupt politicians, businessmen, officers and street rowdies, often through the use of violence. Anand is a young environmental activist in Mumbai who also uses violence when neccessary to prevent organizations and people from harming the environment. When Anand visits Hyderabad and crosses paths with Sathyam, their lives become intertwined as Sathyam sees the future of Janatha Garage in him.

Screenplay and Direction

Koratala Siva has a knack for directing mass entertainers centered around a central theme or issue. Janatha Garage has all of these signature elements, but fails to unify them into a stronger overall experience. A world where the stakes are high, women are raped, politicans are corrupt and the only answer is violence; these are all common elements that make the film predicatable and boring. There are a few select moments that are impressive and briefly detract from the cliche formula that the film follows. The new look and attitude for Jr. NTR and the inclusion of Samantha and Nitya Menen are also somewhat of a saving grace for the film, but they are just barely enough to cover for the weaknesses.

Performances

N.T.R. Jr.

NTR plays Anand, one of the two main protagonists of the film, and is at ease with a role that mixes violence with emotion. Anand is an environmentalist and has strong opinions that he advocates for with violence. It would have been more interesting to see Anand go through a bigger internal struggle, because the decisions he makes throughout the film are too convenient and do not reveal much about him as a character.

Mohanlal

Mohanlal is a fabulous performer and is powerful as Sathyam, a man who puts justice above everything else. However, what his character has in power lacks in depth as it's hard to understand why he has this constant desire to fight for the social good of everyone around him, even if it means sacrificing family.

Samantha

Samantha plays the role of Bujji, Anand's cousin, and is apt for her brief role. She blindly supports Anand and their interactions are ones we have already seen among the lead pair in other movies.

Nithya Menen

Nithya Menen was more interesting than Samantha as Anu because her interactions with Anand are less cliche. Her role could have had more scope, but, again, the director sacrifices a lot of character development for the sake of keeping the plot moving forward.

Others

Unni Mukundan plays the role of Raghava, Sathyam's son. His role has some negative shades that he portrays well. Devayani plays Padma, Sathyam's wife, and emotes well in one scene in particular. Suresh and Sithara act as Bujji's parents and I no complaints with their performance. Ajay has another successful role as the trustworthy henchman. Kajal Aggarwal was roped in for an item song that is both unnecessary and poorly executed in comparison to other popular item songs.

Production Values

Music

Devi Sri Prasad is one of my favorite music directors, but the quality of his music has gone down in recent years. That being said, Devi Sri Prasad manages to serve a decent album for Janatha Garage, with Pranaamam being the highlight. It's mix of classical with western was an intant hit and is Devi's forte. Rock on Bro is also enjoyable, though its heavily influenced by some of Devi's previous works; it is picturised really well though. Apple Beauty is one of those pop songs that has incomprehensible lyrics for the sake of being catchy; it's the weakest song in the album. Jayaho Janatha is alright as the theme song. Nee Selvadigi is a sad song with a nice introduction. Devi is known for his item songs, so Pakka Local had a lot of expectations. The song itself is alright, but the visuals weren't up to the mark and it didn't make much sense to put Kajal Aggarwal in a song that claims to be local.

Visuals

Tirru did a fantastic job earlier this year with 24, but he falls short when it comes to the visuals for Janatha Garage. To be fair, Janatha Garage is formulaic with a lot of action sequences, so there isn't much scope for lush locations or creative camera work. Within the scope that's available, Tirru does a decent job.

Final Verdict

Janatha Garage might have all of the right pieces, but the formulaic plot and lack of strong character development prevents the film from reaching the sum of its parts.

Parent’s Verdict

Excessive physical violence and sexual violence is hinted.

You Can't Just Force Society to Repair ItselfEkkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada2016-11-25T00:00:00+00:002016-11-25T00:00:00+00:00/Ekkadiki-Pothavu-Chinnavada

The teaser of Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada caught my interest because of its similarity to one of Nikhil's previous hit movies, Karthikeya. Nikhil has been on point with his story selections recently and he's favoring scripts that mix science and fantasy to attract a modern audience. Seeing the success of this film, it seems like he's onto something.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Synopsis

Excited about marrying the woman he loves, Arjun arrives at the registration office early from his college exam but the soon-to-be bride never shows up. Four years later, he accompanies his psychologically disturbed friend to a mystic temple in Kerala for treatment and falls in love again with a woman who shares similarities with his former lover. When the woman suddenly leaves the temple after telling him that she needs to talk to him, he finds himself left hanging again but, this time, he doesn't realize what's really at stake. Soon he has to make a decision; is he the type of guy who loves a woman for her personality or is he just interested in physical attraction?

Screenplay and Direction

Vi Anand made a decent debut in Telugu with Tiger. While the concept was interesting, Tiger still seemed amateur at best and didn't do that well at the box office. In Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada, the director brings another interesting concept and you can see the improvement in narration. While the story does contain a couple of loopholes and the ending is anti-climactic to the way the entire story was dealt with up until that point, the movie entertains throughout while still asking some fundamental questions about love and attraction. It's a literal implementation of the idea that love does not have an expire date and its hilariously engaging.

Performances

Nikhil

Nikhil plays the protagonist, Arjun, and is his usual self. The role isn't that challenging, considering its similarities to his previous roles.

Nanditha Swetha

Nanditha steals the show with her portrayal of Parvathi, also known as Amala. She has scope for a lot of variation and pulls it off perfectly with a strong screen presence.

Hebah Patel

Hebah plays Nithya, a dance instructor, and is apt as the girl that Arjun is attracted. Her role is similar to previous roles she has done; she should really start branching out.

Avika Gor

Avika has a brief flashback role as Ayesha, the woman who Arjun falls in love with in college. She is cute and bubbly as always.

Others

Viva Harsha, Satya and Sudharshan fit well as Arjun's friends and Vennelo Kishore brings some nice comedy to the package. Tanikella Bharani has a brief role as Amala's father. Chammak Chandra also has a brief comedic role as a steel utensils salesman.

Production Values

Music

After Karthikeya and Cinema Choopistha Mama, Shekar Chandra has put together a splendid package of songs. Vandha Speedulo is upbeat and perfect as Nikhil's introduction song. Chirunama Thana Chiruanam and Neetho Unte Chalu are pleasant melodies that suite the romantic tracks in the film. Neetho Unte Chalu sounds very familiar and there's a chance it might have been based off another soundtrack, though I'm not sure which. Masthundhi Life is a situational bit that fits well in the middle of the film.

Visuals

Sai Sriram has some interesting tricks that keep the thrill of the film alive; some are more effective than others. The songs are shot in beautiful locales and the mystic temple portion in Kerala was done well. The animations are alright for a film of this budget; they could be better but don't distract to much from the film either. The promotional material is definitely up to the mark.

Premam was a major success in Malayalam, so it's exciting to see that the Telugu remake also fared well. The makers of the film roped in some of the original cast as well as the original music director, which was key in bringing some of the original magic into the remake.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Synopsis

The film is a coming-of-age tale that follows Vikram as he experiences a series of love stories throughout his life. Each experience leaves a lasting impression as he grows and learns about attraction, love, passion and life.

Screenplay and Direction

Chandoo Mondeti made a successful debut with Karthikeya, proving he is capable in delivering a stylistic thriller that appeals to the younger audiences. With Premam, he managed to take a Malayalam classic and alter the minimal components necessary to make it appealing to a Telugu audience. While the subject is very different from his first film, he still delivered an entertainer with stylistic narration and sound pacing.

It's important to note the similarities between the story of Premam and Naa Autograph (2004), which itself was a remake of the hit Tamil movie Autograph (2004). I haven't seen the Malayalam Premam, so I can't compare the two versions, though I've been told that the former had more soul and a stronger conclusion, but I can compare between the latter and Naa Autograph. Premam certainly does lack some of the emotions that Naa Autograph evokes and the story itself is a little routine at times, though the way in which it is told isn't.

Performances

Naga Chaitanya

Compare his performance here to his performance in Josh and you'll see a striking change in the way Naga Chaitanya emotes. Though he picked up tips from Nivin Pauly, who played his role in the original Premam, Naga Chaitanya still manages a fresh portrayal of Vikram and it's intriguing to see the changes in his character as he grows.

Shruti Hassan

Sithara is a well-written character than Shruti Hassan plays beautifully. She shares great chemistry with Naga Chaitanya on screen.

Madonna Sebastian

Madonna plays Sindhu and, once the audience gets past the initial unlikliness of her meeting with Vikram, Sindhu emerges as a bubly character who reenergizes the screen just when the film seems like it is losing its steam.

Anupama Parameswaran

Anupama made a fun debut in A Aa and plays Suma, Vikram's first love interest. She has the least scope for performance among the female leads, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of her (there's a movie in the making with her and Sharwanand!).

Others

Chaitanya Krishna, Praveen, and Srinivasa Reddy all do justice to their roles as Vikram's friends and sidekicks, though I especially enjoyed Srinivasa Reddy's entertaining portrayal of E. Kanaka Rao. Brahmaji and Kantha Rao make a nice comedic duo as well. Nagarjuna and Venkatesh also make exciting cameos that bring originality to the film and, once again, affirm Naga Chaitanya's place in the Telugu film industry as an heir to two of the biggest star families.

Production Values

Music

Gopi Sunder dealt a fantastic album for Premam. Evare is easily the most memorable song; I've heard Malare, the Malayalam version, as well and would say that both are equally beautiful in terms of melody and lyrics. Bang Bang is uplifting and well placed within the film. Evadu Evadu is a mass beat that was also enjoyable.

Visuals

Premam has some fantastic frames thanks to Karthik Ghattamaneni, the cinematographer. I wasn't sure why everyone suddenly started wearing black, southern gangster style outfits during the fighting scenes, but it was definitely interesting to watch.

Final Verdict

Premam isn't nostalgic or soulful, like Naa Autograph or the Malayalam version, but it still packs comedy, quality music, stylistic scenes, high-profile cameos and Naga Chaitanya's best performance to date into one well-made cinema. It's one of those films that shows how falling in love can be magical, whimsical and, at times, entirely coincidental.

Parent’s Verdict

Some fighting, some drinking. Try finding an Indian love story without both of those these days.

Sometimes, Love Finds You When You Least Expect ItMajnu2016-10-09T00:00:00+00:002016-10-09T00:00:00+00:00/Majnu

Majnu is Nani's third release this year, not counting his small and unnecessary cameo in Jyo Achyutananda. Unlike the original story of Majnu, however, it was evident from the trailer that this Majnu was going to be anything but a tragedy.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Synopsis

Aditya, an assistant film director, is attracted to Suma, a girl who works at his friend's software company. In an attempt to woo her, Majnu recounts the tale of his failed first love with Kiran, a college girl from his hometown for whom he became a lecturer. By the end of his story, Majnu leaves Suma abruptly, realizing he still has strong feelings for Kiran. Though he intends to apologize to Suma and fix his relationship with Kiran, fate doesn't play along nicely and he finds himself stuck in between the two.

Screenplay and Direction

Virinchi Varma directs the film in a simple manner and it helps that the plot itself isn't complicated. Unfortunately, the film is a little too routine and the movie feels a bit dry at times despite the generally humorous dialogue and comedy dispersed throughout, especially towards the second half when it starts to drag. Many of the scenes are very cliche or similar to other films where the male protagonist faces an identical dilemma (i.e. Maska) and some of the characterizations are a bit inconsistent, both of which take away from the film's overall appeal.

Performances

Nani

Nani is very natural in the role of Aditya, a sincere lover and friend who takes a number of jobs, from software engineer to lecturer to assistant director. Without Nani's experienced presence, it would have definitely been harder to sit through the film, which speaks to the value of his comedic timing and range of emotion.

Anu Emmanuel

Anu Emmanuel debuts in Telugu with Majnu as Kiran, a college student who falls in love with Aditya, her lecturer. Her pairing with Nani works well in the film and she emotes well, mostly with her eyes.

Priya Shri

Priya Shri also makes her debut in Telugu cinema with this film. She plays Suma, the software engineer whom Adita is attracted to in the beginning of the movie. Suma's characterization is inconsistent and underdeveloped, which is unfortunate considering her importance as an obstacle.

Others

Satya plays the role of Aditya's best friend and his performance works well within the given scope. Others, like Vennela Kishore and Posani Murali Krishna, have briefer roles and provide some much needed comedy. Raj Tarun and S.S. Rajamouli make cameo appearances in the film, but their presence is underutilized.

Production Values

Music

Gopi Sunder delivers another fresh album with Majnu, which is a saving grace for the film. While Aadara isn't that catchy, Kallumoosi and Oye Meghamala are fresh and stay with you after the film.

Visuals

Gnanasekhar provides apt visuals for the film, especially for the flashback scenes where the romance quotient is at a peak. The songs are also picturized well.

Final Verdict

Though it's a little routine and drags at times, Majnu manages to pass the time with Nani's performance, fresh faces and music that hints at the soulful film that it could've been.

Parent’s Verdict

After Oohalu Gusagusalade, Srinivas Avasarala received many accolades for his simplicity and freshness in direction. He returned to the helm with high expectations for Jyo Achutananda. Though the teasers and trailers made the film seem like another romantic comedy, the interesting casting and offbeat nature of the content of the trailer hinted at something more.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Synopsis

Two brothers, Achyuth and Ananda, have a dysfunctional relationship; the former is more well off than the latter and though they live in the same house, they behave more like a landlord and a tenant, respectively. After a heated public argument, they are individually questioned by their wives about Jyotsna and how they were related to her. Their flashbacks lead to comedy and lies and reveal secrets, a triangle love story, and the reason for their broken relationship.

Screenplay and Direction

The film's screenplay is very different from conventional Telugu cinema and helps with the way the story is incrementally developed. Having the same situations described in different ways is tricky to pull off, but Avasarala manages to do it fairly well. However, he doesn't maintain the tempo of the film as the story progresses. The second half of the film is slow and it is hard to understand where the characters' journey is headed. This is primarily because Avasarala mixes two different conflicts in the film. While one might think that the triangle love story between Jyo, Achyuth and Ananda is the main conflict, this is not the case. This clarity should have given Avasarala more time to resolve the trouble between Achyuth and Ananda, the main conflict of the film, but he unnecessarily copmlicates this process by invovlving Jyo without much explanation or logic.

Performances

Nara Rohit

Nara Rohit plays Achyuth, the older and wealthier brother. I've seen a number of his films and his performance in this one is the best of all of them. He's really shown a lot of improvement since his debut. His character has more scope than that of Naga Shourya, and he plays the character arc very well.

Naga Shourya

Naga Shourya is apt as Ananda and has a less active role than Nara Rohit for most of the film becuase he is searching for signs from Achyuth that he wants to reconcile. I wasn't a huge fan of his clean shaven look though.

Regina

Regina has an intesting role in the film as Jyotsna, the pretty girl who causes a rift between the brothers. Her character could have had more substance though, because the whole attraction / love track seems so immature and it isn't clear why she acts the way she does towards the second half of the film.

Others

Tanikella Bharani acts as Jyotsna's father, but doesn't have much scope to really showcase his talents. Pavani Gangireddy and Rajeshwari J., two popular short film actresses, make an appearance as Achyuth and Ananda's wives and are fun to watch on screen as their innocence provides dramatic irony. Seetha is sufficient as the mother of the brothers, but basically has a singular emotion throughout the film. Nani shows up out of the blue in a cameo role and, while it's nice to see his presence, his inclusion seems wasted and is poorly tied into the plot.

Production Values

Music

Kalyani Koduri provides a decent album for the film; while the music isn't as successful as in Oohalu Gusagusalade, they help smooth the inconsistent pacing. Oka Lalana, sung by Shankar Mahadevan, is an impressive composition and Jyo Achyutananda and Aakupachani Chandamaamalaa are catchy melodies. Suvarna Suvarna is subpar and doesn't really fit in with the rest of the film.

Visuals

Venkat C. Dilip crafts some beautiful frames in the film, especially in the songs. Avasarala shows his attention to detail and ability to grasp and portray modern culture in certain scenes where the setting influences the characters and their actions.

Final Verdict

There's no doubt that Avasarala Sreenivas is a talented artist, writer and director. After watching Jyo Achutananda, though, it feels like there is something slightly off with the film despite its overall appeal. Maybe it's because he felt pressured to deliver another hit film, but Avasarala could have created a more engaging and meaningful movie with just a little bit more care.

Parent’s Verdict

While there is nothing outright inappropriate or vulgar, there are some scenes where a woman is being harassed.

Pelli Choopulu was one the biggest surprise hits of the year; it recently celebrated 50 days in the U.S. market, which is a big deal for such a small film. When I first saw the teaser, it vaguely reminded me of Kalyana Vaibhogame, but once the concept of food trucks was introduced in the trailer, I was excited that the film focused on more than just another love story.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

It seems like making short films is the latest segway into becoming a film director and Tharun Bhascker also falls into this category. With Pelli Choopulu, Tharun has displayed his talent in carefully crafting a film to cater towards a modern audience. Without focusing on a commercial formula, Tharun portrays a simple story with elements that the audience is familiar with. If you break down the story to its core elements, there's nothing new here; young adults trying to impress their parents and struggling to balance their interests with those of others who influence them. We've seen many films where the protagonist is constantly berated by his or her father, only to emerge successful and this film is no different. Despite this familiarity, Pelli Choopulu still appears fresh and this is mostly due to the way in which the story and characters were developed and displayed on screen. Tharun adds soul to the film, taking relatable characters and putting them in comical situations while constantly pushing the idea of finding success by pursuing ones dreams.

In addition, adding elements like female empowerment and the relatively novel concept of food trucks to the mix made the film that much more appealing. I've read other reivews stating that Chitra, the female protagonist, shouldn't be labeled as independent, as if were wrong to describe women with such a word, but this is exactly what she is. Chitra's struggle to stand on her own two feet and desire to acheive her goals despite the constant obstacles she faces is inspiring to watch. Tharun highlights some of the hardships that Indian women face when trying to acheive their goals, such as the constant appeals from parents to get married or preference of sons over daughters. He manages to display these problems in delicate manner so as to not blame society,but to get the audience emotionally connected and thinking about the unfairness of certain mindsets.

Performances

Vijay Deverakonda

Prior to this film, Vijay was mostly known for this brief, yet acclaimed role in Yevade Subramanyam. Vijay plays Prashanth, a young man who has lost faith in himself and his desire to become a chef. Vijay's performance is basically flawless and from his choices in scripts, he is an actor to watch in the near future.

Ritu Varma

Ritu Varma became popular from her performance in the award winning short film, Anukokunda. While she has since been a part of a number of films in Telugu, Pelli Choopulu gave her the scope she needed to really make her mark and she certainly does. She pulls of the role of Chitra effortlessly, which is saying something since Chitra's character could easily come off as pretentious or annoying. However, she doesn't and instead manages to make Chitra a very likeable character.

Priyadarshi Pullikonda

Priyadarshi plays Kaushik, a character with little background and almost no character development in the film. Yet, he is easily one of the most memorable characters in the film due to his killer dialgoues and expressions in some of the most comic parts of the film. I could see him becoming a staple comedian in films to come.

Abhay Bethiganti

Abhay plays Vishnu, who is friends with Vijay and Kaushik. The trio are seen frequently together in the film, but Abhay has less scope in terms of performance. All I really remember is him carrying a camera and claiming to be a photographer.

Others

Nandu portrays Vikram in a somewhat key role; I didn't particularly like his character, but that makes sense considering what he does in the film. Anish Kuruvilla from Anand plays an important role in the film that is quite interesting. He was definitely good in terms of casting becuase he is mildly recognizable, but also a good character artist. Kedar Shankara and Padmaja Lanka are apt as Prasanth's parents. Gururaj Manepalli is adequate as Chitra's father and connects well with her in one emotional scene near the end. Sujata plays Chitra's mother and doesn't have much scope for performance in the film.

Production Values

Music

Vivek Sagar provides a classy album for the film. While none of the songs were crazy hits, they are all very pleasant and the background music matches really well with the film's content. Aanandamayenu is a perfect depiction of the film's overall feel.

Visuals

Part of the reason why the film feels so fresh is because of Nagesh Banell's wonderful frames and visual output. The relatively low budget of the film isn't apparent in the visuals at all.

Final Verdict

Though it is somewhat slow paced at times, Pelli Choopulu is a film that is simply well put together and leaves a lasting satisfying impression throughout.

Parent’s Verdict

Compared to most South Indian films, this film is more suitable for kids and family entertainment.

Raghuvaran B. Tech was an astounding success in Telugu and lead to the the dubbing of many of Dhanush’s older films. Nava Manmadhudu was touted as another romantic entertainer from the makers of Raghuvaran B. Tech and, though it doesn’t compare in terms of wholesome entertainment, it still makes a mark.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

Velraj masterfully directed Raghuvaran B. Tech, a film where the clever dialogues, relatable characters and engaging emotions fell in place perfectly. He tried to duplicate the success with Nava Manmadhudu, but this time the pieces don’t fit as well together. While Nava Manmadhudu still has many of the same qualities as the Raghuvaran does, the film as a whole is just not as effective. There’s still the natural romance, relatable characters and clever dialogue, but the emotions aren’t delivered in the same engaging manner. For example, while Raghuvaran builds up the back and forth between the protagonist and antagonist for a satisfying climax, Nava Manmadhudu seems to fall apart as the conflict drag after the suspense is revealed.

Nonetheless, Nava Manmadhudu does have its strengths. In particular, I liked the way the romances were played out in a realistic way between the lead cast. Having two separate romantic tracks with the same cast is a tricky thing to direct, but it worked out really well here. The characters are not glamorous, but down-to-earth and with their own share of flaws. The protagonist’s attachment to his family, especially his father, drives the core suspense of the film and it works well while it lasts.

Performances

Dhanush

Dhanush deals another flawless performance in this film and manages to show the transformation of Bharath from a idealistic youngster to a troubled family man with ease.

Samantha

Samantha’s performance in this film was fun to watch, especially after seeing her in glamour roles in most of her other films. She has more scope for emotion in this film and manages to put away her star image for a very realistic and romantic relationship between Yamuna and Bharath (Dhanush).

Amy Jackson

Amy Jackson also puts in a solid performance as Hema, and the director helps fit her into the film by making her character half-Indian. Her romance with Bharath is also executed well and it was fun to watch a realistic romantic conflict as the characters’ lack of emotional maturity plays into their separation. It was also interesting to see how Hema’s relationship with Bharath’s cousin plays out; I’m glad her outgoing attitude wasn’t sidelined, but rather capitalized on for one of the main conflicts in the film.

Others

K.S. Ravikumar and Raadha Sarathkumar play Bharath’s parents effectively. Adith Arun plays Bharath’s cousin and is adequate, though his character loses power very quickly in the ending. Satish is adequate as Bharath’s sidekick and delivers some entertaining comedy. Jayaprakash has a negative role that is also fitting.

Production Values

Music

Anirudh delivers another youthful album. Emannavo clearly stands out with its romantic lyrics and pleasant tune, but the other singles are just as catchy and blend well with the visuals in the film.

Visuals

Since the story and characters are very relatable, A. Kumaran made sure that the visuals are also suitable. While the locations don’t offer much eye candy, they definitely don’t detract from the film and the songs help build the relationships between the characters.

Final Verdict

If you watch the film acknowledging its slow pacing and anticlimactic ending, Nava Manmadhudu will still manage to entertain you with catchy music, family emotions, fun dialogues, and most importantly, relatable relationships between realistically flawed characters.

Parent’s Verdict

Kids will most likely not enjoy this film as it doesn’t have much eye-candy or action. It is geared towards a more mature audience who can relate to romantic relationships and the struggles of family life.

Kabali Ra! I finally got to witness what the hype was about with Kabali and its failure to please the audience and critics alike (though Rajinikanth’s craze seemed to work wonders for the film’s box office openings). I have to say, while it does have its flaws, the film does have some things going for it and isn’t as bad as most of the talk has been.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

With Kabali being his third film, Pa. Ranjith can be considered a relatively new director, especially considering the number of years Rajinikanth has been in the industry. In this film, he attempts to pull off a gangster revenge drama with Rajini, but the key problem with this pairing is that Rajini is getting old. A film of this genre needs a lot of well-planned suspense and thrilling action, but Kabali falls short in both of these categories. Because of his age, I can imagine Rajini couldn’t pull of too many action sequences here (unlike in films like Robo where CGI could make wonders happen), but the blame can’t completely fall on his shoulders because Rajini does fit well in the few fight scenes that the film does have. A part the blame should also fall on the amount of exposition that this film has as it takes forever to get the ground running, even after the first murder which happens fairly early on. Better pacing and crisper editing could have really helped the overall output, ensuring that the scenes with suspense and action in the film don’t just drown out in the mess of emotional drama and explanation of societal issues.

Since this is a dubbed film, some of the dialogues were a hit or miss. I personally didn’t feel like the punch dialogue “Manchidhi” was that powerful, but some of Rajini’s other dialogues make up for it. In addition, the director included a variety of concepts in the film that weren’t explained properly. For example, what does Kabali’s gang do exactly? How does the nonprofit that they make run? The film revolves around the issues that Indians face in Malaysia, but doesn’t really explain how Kabali solves those issues. Finally, there were a number of twists in this movie, but they weren’t all delivered as effectively as they could have been. Dhansika’s twist was probably my favorite because it changed the mood of the film, but there were too many convenient solutions that I wasn’t as emotionally invested as I should have been by the end of the film. Speaking of the end, I also didn’t like the ending of the film, because it was just too commercial. While I appreciate cliffhangers, I just didn’t feel like this film didn’t need one.

Performances

Rajinikanth

The superstar has certainly aged over the years, but his performance is perfected nonetheless. He blends well as the good natured gangster leader and also emotes well in the more dramatic sequences. Nevertheless, his character does recover a little too conveniently from the conflicts that he faces. Adding a touch of realism here might have actually done wonders.

Radhika Apte

Radhika plays an important role as Kabali’s wife, but is more effective as an emotional motivator for Kabali than an actual character. Her presence is actually quite minimal and she conveniently disappears before the climactic ending.

Dhansika

Dhansika is probably my favorite character in this film, and that says a lot cause there are a lot of characters (albeit few likeable ones). Her character is badass and stylish, which is quite against the norm for a female lead character, but she should have gotten her due for the remainder of the film because, after a point, her skills and effectiveness as a trained assassin are sidelined to make space for Kabali.

Winston Chao

Winston does a fantastic job of portraying the power-hungry and manipulating rival and I liked the touch when he tries to deliver dialogues to mimic Kabali’s dialogues and attitude.

Others

Dhinesh Ravi plays a violent sidekick, but his over-enthusiastic responses to Kabali were almost comedic. Kumaran is effective as the double agent and misguided son of a victim. Kishore is the villain beneath Winston in the film and he also does a wonderful job of being manipulative and loathsome. The rest of the actors do a decent job of their roles but aren’t as noteworthy.

Production Values

Music

Santhosh Narayanan directed the music for this film and is somewhat lacking in terms of songs. There aren’t that many melodious or catchy songs which does detract from the overall appeal, but the BGM for the film is electrifying and does make up to an extent considering the genre of the film.

Visuals

G. Murali has had some interesting films to his credit (Madras, Andala Rakshasi and Kshanam), but Kabali is definitely the biggest in terms of fame and budget. The film covers a lot of different international locales that are scenic and modern, and the action scenes weren’t too jarring but still pretty stylish.

Final Verdict

Overall, Kabali does have a number of flaws that detract from its potential, but does have a solid base from which it could have built the thrilling, action-filled drama that it should have been.

Parent's Verdict

Expect a lot of violence and murder, both of which escalate as the film progresses.

Lots of Style, Not Enough SubstanceGentleman2016-06-26T00:00:00+00:002016-06-26T00:00:00+00:00/Gentleman-Suspenseful-Love-Stories

Nani has been on a roll lately, with his last three films garnering positive reviews and appreciation from the audience. For his latest release, he’s teamed up with the director who introduced him, Mohan Krishna Indraganti, and his first co-star, Sreenivas Avasarala. The combination, along with the promotional content, garnered plenty of hype for the film, so let’s see if it lives up to it.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

Gentleman promotions hinted that Nani would be seen in two different lenses in this film. This is true, but the way in which this is achieved is a little routine. Nevertheless, having a duality gives the film more content and forms the crux of the suspense that keeps the audience intrigued till the end. Because the film’s strength lies in the suspense and mystery of this duality, the film might have benefited from more focus on that and less focus on the introductory love stories. They are only mildly entertaining and it feels as if they could easily have been shortened while retaining their impact in exposition. There is also a lack of consistency in some of the characteristics of the characters from the beginning to the end that should have been taken care of.

While the main focus is on Nani’s duality, I did like how Indraganti depicted the story, ensuring that the female protagonists got enough screen presence and scope to perform. If he had taken the same care with the antagonist in the film, the ending of Gentleman might have had a bigger impact, but it almost feels anti-climatic when the antagonist is defeated. In addition to this post-climax slump, Indraganti explains the entire story of the film in dialogue at the end and, while this might help those who haven’t been able to keep up, it does feel a bit unnecessary.

Performances

Nani

Nani has delivered a phenomenal performance in this film, exhibiting charm and suspicion with equal prowess. He is definitely a talented artist and I’m curious to see how long he can keep up this string of hits.

Nivetha Thomas

I believe this is Nivetha Thomas’s debut in Telugu cinema and she is a wonderful young actress. Her performance in this film is clearly a highlight and I would argue that it even outshines Nani’s. The scenes with the two of them are fun to watch and it is great seeing a level headed female protagonist have her own agenda in a Telugu film. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her in future Telugu films.

Surabhi

Surabhi plays the character of Aishwarya, a young heiress to a business tycoon, and she is pretty convincing but doesn’t have much scope beyond that.

Others

Sreenivas Avasarala tried a different avatar in this film and is only mildly successful. I don’t think this is his fault though, because it seems like the director didn’t expect more from his role. Sreemukhi plays an investigator and she does a good job. I don’t know why she doesn’t get more roles in movies. Tanikella Bharani has a very small role in the film that is somewhat trivial. Vennela Kishore is hilarious as the office manager. Rohini puts in a convincing act as Gautham’s (Nani) mother and it’s great to see the two together again after Ala Modalaindi.

Production Values

Music

I was surprised to know that Mani Sharma was the music director for this film because I haven’t seen a film with his music in a long time. He does provide a good enough album, though Saturday Night Fever feels a little out of place in the movie, and the BGM elevates a number of the scenes. Of the songs, I like Chali Gali Chudhu the most.

Visuals

P. G. Vinda took care of the cinematography and the scenes are pretty appealing as most major Telugu films nowadays are. There is a good variety in the locations that helps make the love stories seem somewhat fresh, and the scenes with high suspense are attention grabbing (thanks in part to the BGM).

Final Verdict

Indraganti is a talented director, but he hasn’t been doing well in recent years. While Gentleman does suffer from some unnecessary and elongated scenes, it is still packed with suspenseful drama, light comedy and hummable songs, and shows that he still has what it takes to score a hit.

Parent's Verdict

Kids will probably not understand the few scenes that are inappropriate for them, but there are some concepts touched and hinted at in this film that parents might not want them to see.

Oka Manasu marks the widely acknowledged debut of Niharika Konidela and is Naga Shourya’s latest release after the success of Kalyana Vaibhogame. Other than its lead pair, however, Oka Manasu hasn’t really offered much to hype. That’s alright though, because the film isn’t very commercial and it doesn’t pretend to be either.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Like this title says, Oka Manasu is more of an exploratory musical, in which the characters face desires that don’t lie within their best interests and make decisions based on their beliefs. While their parents and friends try to act as voices of reason, the lead pair struggle between staying true to their feelings and giving into the pressures and responsibilities of their separate lives. Certain parts of the film aren’t very logical; for example, Sandhya (played by Niharika) doesn’t really strike us as a girl who’s been through medical school and it’s hard for us to really understand what she sees in Surya (Naga Shourya). This lack of reasoning is just one of those things that comes hand-in-hand with love at first sight films, though, so it is not just unique to this movie.

Oka Manasu isn’t the first film to portray a tale of forbidden or ill-fated love and it certainly won’t be the last. The reality of the story is debatable and thought the director seems to know what he wants, he only succeeds to an extent. There are plenty of trivial characters and scenes mixed into the romantic drama that makes up the majority of the slow paced film, making the experience a bit taxing, but the overall feel of the cinema is artistic.

Performances

Naga Shourya

With every film, Naga Shourya seems to be improving his skills and he fits perfectly into his role as Surya, a young, aspiring politician who struggles between the love for his father and for his girl. He has great chemistry alongside Niharika, which is critical considering the genre and focus of the movie.

Niharika Konidela

Considering the small scope that the Telugu cinema industry provides for heroines, this was a pretty decent choice for Niharika’s debut as it gives ample screen space and opportunities for her to learn. Oka Manasu isn’t one sided, but the love story does originate from Niharika’s point-of-view, which is an interesting departure from the routine. While I wasn’t sure if she would be able to carry her role in the film initially, by the end of the film, I found myself adequately engaged with her portrayal of Sandhya. While there is room for improvement, it’s a good start and I’m interested in her future projects. It will be hard for her to find films that let her develop her talents further and with greater variety, considering most commercial films don’t provide much opportunity for the female protagonists.

Others

Rao Ramesh and Pragathi have a decent amount of screen space as Surya’s father and Sandhya’s mother respectively, and they make sure their presence is worthwhile. Srinivas Avasarala’s role is necessary but doesn’t really create much of an impact. Vennela Kishore’s role is very small but does provide some minimal comic relief. Krishna Bhagavan’s character is absolutely unnecessary and the scenes involving him provide some commentary on the state of politics but seem really out of place, disturbing the flow of the film.

Production Values

Music

While known as a talented singer, Sunil Kashyap is an underrated music director in Telugu. He’s provided some fresh melodies and mass songs in his previous films like It’s My Love Story and Loafer, showing his versatility, but with Oka Manasu he proves his prowess in producing a quality album of melodies. While the songs are all slow paced, they fit the flow of the film perfectly. It’s hard to imagine this film without the music, which is why it isn’t for everyone.

Cinematography

It was hard to find the cinematographer of this film, but whoever it was did a wonderful job. Each scene and song is pleasant to the eye and the visuals paired with the music help really elevate this film from what would otherwise be a very plain and boring drama. There is a scene in the film where all of the locations are visited again in a rapid succession and the only reason this scene has any impact is because of the value that these visuals provide in creating a connection with the audience.

Final Verdict

Oka Manasu is one of those films that just tells a story. There are no forced opinions or righteous characters; they’re all just dealing with life as it goes and trying to follow their hearts. In this sense, the heart of Oka Manasu is in the right direction. The problem is that, like the characters and the plot, the film itself is a messy. It’s artistic, like a beautifully depicted romance poem, but it doesn’t worry much about realism or logic. Therefore, like hopeless romance novels or thought-provoking poetry that drags, it might appeal to a select few but is certainly not for everyone.

Parent's Verdict

There are adults who will be bored from the pacing of this film, so there’s not much that kids can find of value here. There are also some acts of physical violence and alcohol and smoking addictions.

For those of us who are lucky to have fathers who have helped guide us when we were lost and taught us some of life’s greatest lessons, Father’s Day is just one extra reason to celebrate their roles in our lives.

On this occasion, I’ve put together a list of some of the most touching father child relationships I’ve seen in recent Telugu cinema.

Note: The characters and films are organized into categories and then ordered based on the release dates of the movies that they are from. There is no relative ordering between the films and the list is not exhaustive; it is a list of the ten most touching and realistic father sentiment scenes from the films that I’ve seen in the last decade or so.

Fathers Are Friends Too

Bommarillu

Probably one of the most famous scenes in the past decade of Telugu cinema, Bommarillu’s climax shows the struggle between the a father’s overbearing love for his son and a son’s struggle between independence and his father’s happiness.

Aakasamantha

A beautiful scene that depicts a father’s struggle of accepting a choice his daughter makes that he never expected, knowing that she has grown into a strong woman through the values that he has taught her.

Darling

Prabhas and Prabhu have such cute father/son dynamic in Darling and the feelings climax in this scene where the son gives up his love for his father.

Nenu Sailaja

A father has a lot of responsibilities and it might be hard to understand the sacrifices he might have to make in order to keep his family satisfied. Nenu Sailaja highlights these sacrifices but also cautions the damage that distance can create in the relationship between a father who leaves his family to help sustain them and a daughter who misses her father dearly and is disappointed by his continual absence in her life.

Fathers Help Guide Us

Kotha Bangaru Lokam

Kotha Bangaru Lokam depicts a father who believes in showing love to his son and letting his love, rather than harsh words, help guide him towards making the right decisions.

Surya S/O Krishnan

A father’s wisdom can guide us when we are most lost; Surya S/O Krishnan shows this simple concept in a wonderfully directed emotional journey as a son recounts his father’s influence in the major decisions of his life.

Nannaku Prematho

Devi Sri Prasad nailed the emotion needed in this song as a son making a tribute to the loss of the man who has helped shape his life and to whom he is forever indebted to.

Fathers Wish For Our Success

Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi

While Prakash Raj doesn’t start off as a very good father, the development in the bond between Ravi Teja and Prakash Raj shows that a father can be the very coach we need to succeed in our lives.

Aadavari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule

While this scene only shows the arguments between a father pushing his son to succeed and a son who is desperately trying, other scenes in Aadavari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule show how much a father can secretly care for and be proud of his child, despite the way he behaves on the surface.

Raghuvaran B. Tech

This scene in Raghuvaran B. Tech focuses on the loss of a son’s mother, but also highlights a father’s love for his son as they share a mutual loss. While the father in this movie is distant and sometimes harsh, this scene proves that hardships only help make relationships stronger.

10 of the most touching and realistic father sentiment scenes in recent Telugu cinemaA Aa2016-06-02T00:00:00+00:002016-06-02T00:00:00+00:00/A-Aa-Another-Feel-Good-Trivikram-Family-Entertainer

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

With A Aa, Trivikram once again proves his mettle as a writer and director. Trivikram delivers a commercial story with family drama and romance that we’ve seen before, but adds just enough of his own flair in the form of witty dialogues and moving emotions between the soundly developed characters to make it refreshing. Anasuya’s (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) narration of the story grabs the audience’s attention immediately and masterfully keeps it as the film moves forward at a naturally slow pace. To ensure the smooth transitions and pacing of the film, Trivikram fills the movie with his brand of amusing comedy that keeps the audience satisfied and ensures that they leave with a smile on their faces. There are a few comic scenes of the film that seem a little stretched though, and better editing might have helped fix this issue. Nevertheless, they don’t occur often and, therefore, don’t take away too much from the movie’s strengths.

Performances

Samantha

Samantha plays Anasuya Ramalingam, a rich, yet depressed young woman who struggles with her relationship with her mother, played by Nadhiya. The entire film centers around Anasuya as she narrates her story and Samantha’s portrayal makes the character lovable and relatable.

Nithin

Nithin plays Aanand Vihari, or Nandu, a young man who runs a small cooking contracting company, and he depicts the different aspects (comedy, romance, drama, action) of the character well. While Nithin may still be considered a small actor in comparison to other more prominent figures in the industry, he does a great job in showing the nuances of Nandu’s character in a vibrant light despite the fact that the story circles around Anasuya’s narration.

Nadhiya

Nadhiya plays the strict, misunderstood mother of Anasuya and does so aptly. This character is similar to her character in Attarintiki Daredi, so she slips into the role easily.

Rao Ramesh

Rao Ramesh plays a rich, calculating neighbor in Aanand’s village with some negative shades and comic dialogues that keep the audience in a light mood, even in the dramatic sequences.

Others

Naresh is perfect in the film as the fun, loving father of Anasuya who balances her relationship with her mother. Anupama Parameshwaran makes her debut in the Telugu film industry in this film as Rao Ramesh’s character’s daughter. While her character is nothing new, her portrayal is still entertaining and well done, considering she did her own dubbing for the film too. Ananya (from Journey) does a decent portrayal of Aanand’s sister. Srinivas Avasarala has a small role as Anasuya’s goofy, timid suitor and is adequate.

Production Values

Music

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWv8uq-JMw4]

As I mentioned in my previous article, Mickey J Meyer has provided a soundtrack for this film that is a perfect package. The songs are all well placed and fun to watch on screen. Rang De and Anasuya Kosam are my personal favorites from the album.

Cinematography

A Aa has some beautiful visuals to display, from the rich urban house to the beautiful village scenery. The cinematographer, Natarajan Subramaniam, has some big movies in his credentials (Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Raanjhanna to name a few), and it seems like he has put forth his best efforts for this film as well.

Final Verdict

While the film boasts nothing extraordinary, A Aa comes with a complete package of entertainment and emotion that helps it consistently score well in all of the aspects that make an enjoyable film. Some better editing might have helped, but regardless, this is one of the better Telugu film’s to release in a while this year, so go to the theater folks!

Parent's Verdict

For the most part, clean entertainment that is suitable for children, if they can understand the dialogues.

Another Feel-Good Trivikram Family EntertainerBrahmotsavam2016-06-01T00:00:00+00:002016-06-01T00:00:00+00:00/Brahmotsavam-Engaging-Moments-in-an-Incoherent-Film

Brahmotsavam needs no introduction; it was the most awaited film of the year and had a plethora of expectations to meet after the tremendous box office success of Mahesh’s previous film, Srimanthudu. It opened to negative reviews and there have been numerous articles claiming that Brahmotsavam is officially the biggest disaster of the year.

Is the movie really that terrible? How could a movie starring almost all of the biggest actors and character artists in the Telugu film industry get such negative reviews? Read the review below to find out!

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

The director of the film, Srikanth Addala, has a certain style to his films that is very identifiable. Brahmotsavam is no different, and is very similar to Srikanth and Mahesh’s previous collaboration, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. Addala prefers simple stories and a very laid back style of narration that, understandably, feels slow for some people. Nevertheless, Brahmotsavam does indeed have a central conflict that it revolves around. The only problem is that it is hard to follow, because the film doesn’t focus on this issue and jumps from place to place, interjecting ideas and scenes that are interesting, but don’t really add any value to the story. Where Addala excels is in developing engaging and out-of-the-box characters that stand out from other films. From the grumpiness of Rao Ramesh’s character to the oddity that is Samantha’s character (the characters are not named, which happens a lot in Addala’s films), the characters are what keep the audience’s interest in the film. If it weren’t for this, I’m sure the film would have been an even bigger disaster.

Traditionally, all films follow a simple structure of story telling where they start off at a stasis before the central conflict is revealed. The film then moves forward and eventually ends with some sort of new stasis in place. As I mentioned before, Brahmotsavam does indeed have this structure, but it is so hard to understand because the film entertains too many minor plots and scenes that are well made, but that don’t add any value to the core of the film. Essentially, the film feels as if Addala knew what he wanted to show the audience, but wasn’t really sure how to do so. This is the biggest drawback of the film. Perhaps, if the director had fleshed out the connections of the story, the final output would have flowed better.

Performances

Mahesh

Mahesh has definitely been improving with every film he does. He emotes really well in the film and the emotional sequences are very heartful. It was a treat to see him play a charming young man on a journey to find the meaning behind his father’s beliefs.

Sathyaraj

Sathyaraj is clearly a very talented actor and he handles the role of Mahesh’s character’s father with ease. The whole film really centers around his character’s belief that all we need in life is to be surrounded with people who we can call our own, and if we can do that, every day can be a celebration.

Rao Ramesh

Rao Ramesh is the highlight of the film. His subtle expressions of jealousy and discomfort easily stand out amidst the festive atmosphere and upbeat attitudes of the other characters in the film, and he shows nuances in his character with an ease that comes from talent and experience.

Samantha

Just when I thought the film was getting boring, Samantha’s character entered and brought much needed comic relief. Samantha plays the care-free character who matches Mahesh’s character’s personality aptly, though, like everything else in the film, it could have been fleshed out more. While her entrance in the film is fun, it is feels somewhat random, as does her exit.

Others

Kajal is another notable actress in the film and plays her role of a matured girl from Australia visiting her parents fairly well. The chemistry between Kajal and Mahesh works so well, it’s a shame it doesn’t last. There are a number of other seasoned actors and actresses in this film and they all do an adequate job; the sheer quantity of actors and their solid performances make the whole idea of the film believable.

Production Values

Music

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-3gBuVVqNs]

Mickey J Meyer’s soundtrack for the film is adequate and works well on screen, though a few of the songs sound similar to those of this previous film tracks and don’t work as well off screen. Bala Tripuramani is easily the catchiest of all of the songs.

Gopi Sundar’s background score also works well for the film and helps ease some of the jarring transitions. I do wonder why they split the background music and soundtrack among two different directors this way though.

Cinematography

R. Rathnavelu has done some fantastic work in previous films like 1 - Nenokkadine and Enthiran and his efforts in Brahmotsavam don’t go unnoticed. The film has rich production values with vibrant colors and enticing locations from all across India.

Final Verdict

Lots of hype, a wonderful cast, interesting characters and rich production values and songs all make Brahmotsavam a watchable film, despite its obvious flaws in narration. It’s hard to make good films that are also offbeat and unorganized, but I can’t help but wonder how much better the outcome could have been if Srikanth Addala had just fleshed out the structure and flow of the story more.

Parent's Verdict

Mahesh romances multiple women in this film and this includes short kiss scenes and some jokes that kids won’t understand. There is a portion of a song in which Mahesh and Samantha are seen partying and taking multiple shots until they get drunk and wake up with a hangover. There is also a scene involving the death of a child who is terminally ill and knows that she is going to die. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this movie for kids, because there’s just not much entertainment in it for them; it’s hard enough for adults to follow and understand.

Engaging Moments in an Incoherent Film5 Things That are Exciting About A Aa2016-05-31T00:00:00+00:002016-05-31T00:00:00+00:00/5-Things-That-are-Exciting-About-A-Aa

The next big upcoming Telugu film release is A Aa. You’ve probably heard of it by now, but if you haven’t, its a Trivikram romantic comedy starring Nithin and Samantha as the lead pair and boasting a soundtrack from Mickey J Meyer.

Here are five reasons why you should be excited about its release on June 2nd!

Note: This is not a promotional post and is published out of the writer’s own interest in the film.

5. Cinematography and Production

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFNx2ydeowA]

As you can see in the teaser above, A Aa has some beautiful visuals to display. The cinematographer, Natarajan Subramaniam, has some big movies in his credentials (Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Raanjhanna to name a few), and it seems like he has put forth his best efforts for this film as well. A Aa is also being produced by S. Radha Krishna under the Haarika & Hassine Creations banner, which also produced other hits like Julyai and S/O Satyamurthy and is also producing the Telugu remake of the Malayalam hit cinema, Premam. The production values look rich and its clear that, whatever the film is, it will be at least a pleasure to the eyes.

4. Casting

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyKN51W8qY0]

The film is clearly focused on the two main characters of Anusuya Ramalingam, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Aanand Vihari, played by Nithin, who looks like he’s back in form after no major hits in the past two years. This alone is a good pairing, but the film also displays an ensemble cast of seasoned actors like Naresh, Nadhiya (think Atha from Atharinitiki Daredi), Brahmanandam, Ali and Rao Ramesh, as well as young, talented actors like Srinival Avasarala (Astha Chamma, Oohallu Gusagusaladu, etc.) and Anupama Parameshwaran (Premam). This casting is already intriguing and I’m curious to see how all of them perform together on screen.

3. Music

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWv8uq-JMw4]

Mickey J Meyer has his own style of music direction and it seems to fit very well with A Aa if the teasers and promos are anything to go by. A Aa has an interesting mix of songs, with Yaa Yaa, a village song, Rang De, a colorful, festive song, Anusuya Kosam, a pop song sung by Karthik with a rap portion from the upcoming Telugu rapper Roll Rida, Mummy Returns, a peppy situational song, and Yellipoke Shyamala, a break up song that reminds me of Sailaja Sailaja from Nenu Sailaja but is different to its own accord. My personal favorites are Rang De and Anusuya Kosam; it’s nice to hear some Telugu rap that actually sounds good for once.

2. Trivikram Brand

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D2Ixq0GJQE]

After S.S. Rajamouli, Trivikram is the director in Telugu cinema with the best ratio of hit movies and a fan following among all audiences. His films have a certain charm and his clever, moving dialogues up the emotional ante. From Nuvve Nuvve to Athadu to Julayi, Trivikram has proven he can convey a diverse range of stories with the simplest of scenes. When it comes to A Aa, this is no different. Since Jalsa, Trivikram has been writing films that are specific to the actor playing the role of the protagonist. With A Aa, Trivikram is turning his focus back onto the story and this only raises the bar of expectations for the film.

1. A Strong Female Protagonist

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4KdbX1xvaI]

While Trivikram is a talented director and writer, he isn’t perfect. One trend that I have noticed is his films have a tendency to have weak female protagonists paired with the stronger male protagonists. Let’s go through each of his films and summarize the female protagonists:

Nuvve Nuvve

Anjali, played by Shriya, is a rich, pretty girl with childish antics. She’s mainly there for the father - daughter sentiment and romance with the main character.

Athadu

Poori, played by Trisha, is the daughter of the family of Pardhu, the person who Nandu impersonates. She spends her time hitting on Nandu, thinking he is her cousin, and is there for Nandu to have a reason to continue impersonating Pardhu forever after he gives up his life of professional assassinations.

Jalsa

Bhagi (Ileana) and Jo (Parvati Melton) both fight in trying to become Sanjay’s girlfriend because he fights well and saves them from ragging.

Khaleja

Subhashini (Anushka Shetty) is a quirky girl and a source of bad luck for Raju, but he eventually falls in love with her.

Julayi

Madhu (Ileana) is a helpless step-daughter. Ravi comes into her life and fixes everything.

Attarintiki Daredi

Sashi (Samantha) fights with the newly appointed car driver. It is later revealed that she fell in love with him at first sight.

S/O Satyamurthy

Sameera (Samantha) is a diabetic and the primary romantic interest of Viraj Anand.

A Aa

Anusuya Ramalingam vs. Aanand Vihari. Even from the name, it’s clear that the two main characters are both equals in this film. The fact that the trailer is narrated by Anusuya shows her character’s importance to the film. The last time a Trivikram story had two fighting protagonists who are equals and fall in love was Nuvvu Naku Nachav, which was a huge success and remains a fun watch to this day. That is why Trivikram having a strong female character for this film is the most exciting aspect of A Aa, because it is a sign that he has completely shifted his focus back from formulaic plots to simply telling a story.

Five reasons why I am excited about the release of A AaThe Mystery Behind Manasulo Maatalu Film Ratings2016-05-22T00:00:00+00:002016-05-22T00:00:00+00:00/The-Mystery-Behind-Manasulo-Maatalu-Film-Ratings

Have you ever read a movie review and wondered how the film critic comes up with the magical number that determines the film’s value?

So have I.

One of the reasons Manasulo Maatalu was created was to provide quality reviews for South Indian films. In order to support these film reviews and make the process more transparent, a friend recommended that I explain the reasoning behind the five point rating system that is used and break it down into the different components that make up a film.

Why Use a Rating System at All?

There are arguments out there as to why films need to be rated at all. After all, a film review is supposed to provide analysis for a film and simply attributing a number or percentage to a film can undermine all of the effort and hard work that was put into making it. Manasulo Maatalu uses a rating system in order to help readers compare films and determine whether a given film is worth the investment in a shorter time; often times, readers don’t have time to read the whole review and want a simpler alternative or need to be reminded of the film’s merits and don’t want to re-read a whole review.

Why Use a Five Point System?

While there are multiple ways to rate films, a five point rating system is possibly the most widely used and easily understood. Each point is broken down into four, so points are awarded in intervals of .25 (i.e. .25, .5, .75, 1, etc.). This break down makes it easier to provide consistent ratings while still making it easy to understand where the rating comes from. Every film is different, so the points are attributed to the potential that the film has in that particular category and the extent to which it reaches that potential.

Distribution of the Five Points

1. Story and Characterization

An engaging story is the very backbone of a film. A film’s primary purpose is to tell its viewers a story. Creating strong, identifiable characters is an effective way to keep a film’s viewers engaged. This is why story and characterization combine to form one point in the five point rating system. Films that have a weak story that doesn’t flow or characters that are one sided and underdeveloped tend to earn less of the point value.

2. Screenplay and Pacing

Screenplay, as used here, is defined as the way in which the story of the film is delivered to the audience. This involves many things, such as the order of the major events of the film, the use of techniques like foreshadowing and flashbacks, etc. Pacing is very related to this concept and describes the progression of the film as the events move forward. While they are related, they still attribute different aspects of films and are, therefore, used to compose another point in the system. Films that have weak screenplay with unnecessarily complicated or confusing ordering of events or films that have pacing that is either too slow or too fast for the given content will earn less of the point value.

3. Technical Values (i.e. Music, Cinematography)

A film’s technical values can have a very strong influence on the overall experience of watching the film. There are a number of films that have amazing visuals or soundtracks that elevate the otherwise mediocre stories, making the overall cinema experience even better. This is why music, cinematography and animation, for films that it applies to, are all attributed to make up another point in the system.

4. Performances

A film can have a uniquely gripping story with a fresh soundtrack and apt visuals, but still fail to gain the appreciation of viewers because of weak performances from its artists. This is why the fourth point of the system is used to determine the performances of the major artists of the film.

5. The Fifth Point

So far, four of the five points in the system have been attributed to the various components that make up a film. The great thing about this five point rating system is that there is no fifth point! This allows for greater flexibility in rating films because, often, we find ourselves watching films that have exceptional qualities that make up for the other aspects that the film might be lacking. For example, a film can have wonderful performances from its cast members that make up for the slower screenplay or inadequate plot. In such cases, not having a fifth point leaves four extra .25 points that can be attributed the components that are exceptional and make up for the other lacking categories.

I hope understanding the way the Manasulo Maatalu film rating system works will help you make better use of the reviews that are written here. I also hope that this article will give you a better appreciation for Manasulo Maatalu reviews as a whole, because the ratings are not merely picked off of a whim; there is an actual process and analysis behind the reviews and ratings that are published.

An explanation of the Manasulo Maatalu film rating system242016-05-19T00:00:00+00:002016-05-19T00:00:00+00:00/24-Time-Travel-Evil-Twin-and-an-Absurd-Romance

Time travel is a relatively less explored concept in Telugu cinema. While there are a plethora of films about romance, the number of South Indian films that are about time travel, and science fiction in general, is still very low (Aditya 360 comes to mind). This explains why there was so much buzz around Suriya’s latest bilingual release, 24, a film that promised a thrilling adventure with a time travelling watch, a genius scientist and his evil twin brother, and a frivolous romance between the lead pair.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

After watching the trailer of 24, I had a feeling the romantic thread between Sathya (Samantha) and Mani (Suriya) would be the weakest link in the movie and I was right. The romance between the lead pair has little to offer, which is unfortunate since the movie focuses a good portion of the run time on developing it. While it is tied well into the story and Samantha and Suriya do have good chemistry on screen, the scenes should have either been kept to a minimum or been developed with better dialogue and comedy. It is surprising that these scenes are almost boring considering Vikram Kumar also directed Ishq and Manam, which are both successful romantic and family entertainers, prior to this film.

Where 24 really excels is in the suspense and action sequences. Athreya (Suriya) is a mesmerizing villain and I think the movie could have benefited from more focus on the interaction between Athreya and Mani than on the romance between Mani and Sathya.

Because the audience of 24 isn’t really used to the concept of science fiction films, 24 could have also been enhanced with explanations of some of the concepts that are utilized in the movie. For example, it is never explained why the watch loses battery when it does or what the watch runs on. It isn’t necessary to go into detail, but if these aspects of the science fiction are going to affect the outcome of the plot, then they should at least be mentioned to some extent.

Performances

Suriya

Suriya is a renowned and versatile performer; he’s already established his talent in acting with films like Ghajini and Surya s/o Krishnan. In this film, he plays three very different roles: Dr. Sethuraman, the brilliant, yet weak scientist who invents the watch, Mani, a watch mechanic, and Athreya, the evil brother of Dr. Sethuraman who craves power over time. Suriya also plays Athreya in two different stages of time: as the younger, energetic leader and as the vengeful criple. While Suriya masterfully differentiates the three characters and shines as each, Athreya clearly takes the forefront as his emotions and actions are just simply powerful. It is a treat to watch the power play between Mani and Athreya in the movie, even though they are both played by the same actor.

Samantha

Samantha has a decent amount of screen time in the film but her role as Sathya is almost inconsequential; we know little about the character, other than her connection to Mani as his love interest. She does well for her scope in the film and makes a good pair with Suriya for the songs and romanctic sequences.

Nithya Menen

Nithya Menen hasn’t been doing major roles in films recently and I’m confused as to why this is, because she has already proven that she is a great performer. In 24, she plays Dr. Sethuraman’s wife and, though her screen time is limited, her presence still manages to elevate the film. She also sang the the beautiful lullaby, Laalijo, for the film.

Others

Ajay is adequate as Mithran, Athreya’s henchman and partner in crime, but I wish we could have also learned more about him and his connection to Athreya. Saranya is delightful as Sathyabama, Mani’s mother, and the emotional sequences between her and Suriya are definitely a bonus to the film and help move the stagnant plot forward in the second half of the film. Everyone else is fairly adequate in their roles.

Production Values

Music

A. R. Rahman provided another powerful soundtrack for this film and the music blends really well with its style and concept. All of the songs work really well on-screen, with Kaalam Na Preyasi and Prema Swaramulalo being two of my favorites. The others might require a couple of listens initially, but are also just as good in their own right. As always, Rahman’s intense background score for this movie is also on point.

Cinematography

A cinematographer with many credits to his name and who is also working on Jr. NTR’s next film Janatha Garage, Tirru did a splendid job for this film as all of the visuals are strikingly attractive. Whether its the lab or the train or the beautiful scenery of the songs, all of the scenes are, at the very least, a pleasure to watch on the big screen. One of the fascinating scenes to note would be the pause of rain droplets when Mani discovers the feature on his watch.

Final Verdict

While it seems slow and taxing at some points, 24 provides a suspenseful and action-filled journey in time with three wonderful performances from Suriya and the music and visuals that befit the start of a franchise. If they do make a sequel, let’s hope they skip more of the commercial formula elements and delve deeper into the concept and compelling characters that make 24 worth the watch.

[NEW] Parents' Verdict

While children may enjoy the concept of this film, there are some plot points that they may not be able to follow and a few limited, yet violent scenes that can be bloody and gruesome to watch.

Time Travel, Evil Twin and an Absurd RomanceOopiri (Thozha)2016-04-16T00:00:00+00:002016-04-16T00:00:00+00:00/Oopiri-A-Breath-of-Fresh-Air

Manam was the start of a new chapter in cinema for Nagarjuna and, while Soggade Chinni Nayana had mixed success, his latest film Oopiri is doing extremely well at the box office. An official remake of the second highest grossing French film, Intouchables, Oopiri had grabbed our interest since the first look of the film was released. I never thought I would see Karthi and Nagarjuna share the same screen space but, after watching this film, I have to say their paring was just charming.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

The story and screenplay of Oopiri was adapted from the French film, Intouchables, to be more familiar for a South Indian audience (the movie was also simultaneously released in Tamil as Thozha). While I think the the director’s (Vamsi Paidipally’s) efforts were successful, it felt as if certain aspects of the film were included just to make it appeal more to a mass audience. Certain aspects of the film felt out of place, like the item song or the incomplete love story between Karthi and Tamanna. Oopiri is a classy film and it should have been portrayed as such without any unnecessary diversions, because the diversions only detract from the otherwise more uniformly enchanting experience the film could have been. I understand that the director wanted to play it safe, especially since having a popular hero like Nagarjuna portray such a crippled role was already a risk, but I hope directors making other experimental films can be more daring and less formulaic in the future, irregardless of the cast.

Apart from that, I thought the story of the film was genuinely refreshing. Seeing good character transformations in Nagarjuna and Karthi as their unusual bond forms is inspiring and there are a number of passionate moments in the film that are actually thought-provoking.

Performances

Nagarjuna

We are all well aware of Nagarjuna’s talent as an actor, but I am really glad that he agreed to portray Vikram, a disabled, wealthy businessman, in this film; it sets a precedent for other popular actors to do challenging, offbeat roles. Vikram has a limited range of motion but conveys plenty of meaning and emotion through his expressions; he is a challenging character to play, but Nagarjuna brought him to life with ease.

Karthi

As much as I liked Nagarjuna’s performance in this film, I liked Karthi’s depiction of Seenu, a lively, carefree ex-convict who is misunderstood and helpless, even more. The last time I saw Karthi in a film was when I saw Awaara in 2010, but his performance in this film proves that he has only matured as an actor since, though he has not aged a bit.

Tamannaah

Tamannaah shares a good amount of screen space with the main protagonists of the film, Vikram and Seenu, but it is clear that her character isn’t really as important. She plays Keerthi, Vikram’s attractive, composed secretary, and is Seenu’s love interest.

Others

Prakash Raj plays the role of Vikram’s close friend, Prasad, and provides some good comic relief. Jayasudha is touching, as always, as Seenu’s mother. Ali is adequate as Lingam, Karthi’s lawyer and friend. The remaining cast is satisfactory, but not really notable. There are a number of cameos in this film and they are all fairly well justified.

Production Values

Music

Gopi Sundar is definitely one of the best music directors to enter Telugu cinema in the past decade. He is consistently providing chart-busters for every film he has been a part of and his stylish soundtrack for Oopiri is no different. The background music is extremely nostalgic after you’ve seen the film and the upbeat Ayyo Ayyo gets stuck in your head in no time.

Cinematography

P. S. Vinod is back with Nagarjuna after working with him for Manam and Soggade Chinni Nayana. Beautiful foreign visuals of Paris and the posh interior and exterior of Vikram’s mansion contrast brightly with the slums of Seenu’s upbringing, highlighting the dichotomy between the rich and the poor in modern society in a very cinematic way.

Final Verdict

I haven’t seen the original French film, so I can’t really comment on how much justice Oopiri does to the original content. However, looking at the film as it’s own entity, I can definitely say that Oopiri is a film to watch. Beautiful visuals blended with a classy soundtrack that brings to life a touching friendship between two outcasts from opposite worlds, Oopiri is truly a breath of fresh air in Telugu cinema; we could definitely benefit from more films like it.

Jeans, Aparichitudu, Chandramukhi, Ghajini. These are just some of the most popular dubbed Tamil films in the past and all of these films have increased the range of the Tamil actors that they starred.

With the upcoming release of Suriya’s new Sci-Fi flim, 24, let’s revisit ten of the best Tamil films that have been dubbed into Telugu in the last decade!

Note: The films are organized into categories and then ordered based on their release dates. There is no relative ordering between the films and the list is not exhaustive.

Something Different

Surya s/o Krishnan

A son’s recollection of the most memorable moments of his life that were influenced by his father after his father’s recent death, Surya s/o Krishnan has a mood that evokes nostalgia. Directed by the talented Gautham Menon, the film contains one of Suriya’s best performances with a dual-role and a mesmerizing soundtrack by Harris Jayraj (Nalone Pongenu and Monna Kanpinchavu are two of my favorite).

Rangam

Politics can be a tiring subject for films, but Rangam provides a fresh perspective. Directed by K. V. Anand, a former journalist, Rangam is a youthful thriller with another melodious soundtrack from Harris Jayraj; Enduko Emo was one of the most popular songs for a time after the film’s release in Telugu.

Journey

Sharwanand is a very respectable actor and Journey is one of the most powerful films he has starred in. Taking a simple bus accident, M. Saravanan builds a engaging narrative about the lives that are involved and how one single irresponsible moment can create a disaster. The characters are well developed and the performances from Anjali, Sharwanand, Jai and Ananya are very endearing and natural.

Mariyan

Based off of a real-life incident, Mariyan is a well-made film that depicts the tale of the misfortune of two Indian men who go labor abroad in exchange for money. Danush’s performance and frustration in this film is remarkably realistic. The love story between Pani and Mariyan is striking and the A. R. Rehman soundtrack is just the cherry on the top for this engaging and suspenseful film.

Action Entertainers

Sivaji

Everyone is familiar with Sivaji, one of Rajinikanth’s most popular films to date. Depicting the problems that a successful software architect from the U.S. faces when he returns to India to give back to society, the film has a melodious soundtrack from A. R. Rahman and is directed by the renowned director, S. Shankar.

Vishwaroopam

Despite the controversy that revolved around the film post its release, Vishwaroopam still managed to enthrall its audience with an intense action and another powerful performance from the talented Kamal Haasan. Watch the film if you like action and suspense and you’ll find yourself wondering when the sequel that is boldly announced at the end of the film will be released.

Thuppakki

Vijay has been starring in some interesting films lately, and Thuppakki is definitely one of the most successful ones. Focusing on how an Indian army officer combats a terrorist group, the film manages to balance the intensity with comedy and romance, making it a great watch overall. AR Murugadoss and Harris Jayraj proved once again that they make a successful combination.

Romantic Comedies

Love Failure

The directorial debut of Balaji Mohan, Love Failure was a surprisingly successful film that explores the nature of relationships and breakups. With ample comedy, touching moments, good performances from Siddharth and Amala Paul, and some peppy songs from S.S. Thaman, the film makes a fun watch, whether you’re in a relationship or not.

OK Bangaram

A modern romance from Mani Ratnam with an album from A. R. Rahman that proves he’s still just as much of a musical maestro as he was in his heyday, OK Bangaram also stars some of the best actors in South India right now. Nani’s dubbing for Dulquer in this movie was a smart move; his familiar voice makes the film all the more relatable.

A Bit of Everything

Raghuvaran B. Tech

One of my personal favorites, Raghuvaran B. Tech quite literally has everything. Directed by Velraj, who also directed Journey (which is also on this list), this film is what really introduced Dhanush to the Telugu audience and it’s easy to see why we embraced it, with its witty, humorous dialogues and catchy songs. Dhanush excels at natural performances and that’s what adds life to the film as it is easily relatable. If you’ve ever been passionate about your work and worried about finding opportunities, you will not only have a blast watching this movie, but might also find some inspiration to keep trying along the way.

Others Worth Mentioning

Robo

Another famous film from S. Shankar starring Rajinikanth, Robo boasts some advanced visuals and is one of the few well-made science fiction films in India. While some of the action sequences may have been carried away, the film still stands out for its unique plot (with regards to Indian cinema), Aishwarya Rai, and a futuristic soundtrack from A. R. Rahman.

Raja Rani

Raja Rani was the directorial debut for Atlee and its evident that he is a talented at what he does. The film focuses on the simple concepts of life after love failure and finding love after marriage, and watching Nayanatara and Arya struggle as they move forward with their lives is endearing. I also really like this film because it introduced me to Nazriya Nazim, who in turn introduced me to Bangalore Days and Dulquer Salmaan. G. V. Prakash, A. R. Rahman’s nephew, provided a popular, modern soundtrack for this film, which includes the catchy Oday Oday song.

p.s.: If you liked the background music from the teaser/trailer of 24 linked above, you’ll like this song too!

A list of some of the best Tamil movies that have been dubbed into Telugu in the past decadeABCD2016-03-28T00:00:00+00:002016-03-28T00:00:00+00:00/ABCD-A-Silly-Modern-Comedy

ABCD, or American Born Confused Desi, is another entertaining film starring Dulquer Salmaan. The title refers to the idea that young Indian men and women who were born abroad are confused between the vast differences between Western and Indian cultures. Though the film isn’t as well developed as some of Dulquer’s other films that I’ve reviewed, it still provides for a few laughs.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

ABCD is a light-hearted comedy that is packed with subliminal comments on the differences between Eastern and Western cultures. The plot is somewhat silly, but that works for the film as the protagonists, Johns (Dulquer) and Korah (Jacob), find themselves in bizarre situations as they try to regain control over their lives. The slow narration of the film does drag at times, and the lack of logic in some of the events that occur are a little distracting; Martin Prakkat, the director, or Don Max, the editor, could have easily shortened the run time of the film without losing anything of major value.

Performances

Dulquer Salmaan

Johns Isaac, an irresponsible and party-loving son who is sent to India for his behavior, is another flawless performance by Dulquer Salmaan. His expressions bring Johns’s frustration to life.

Jacob Gregory

This is the first film I have seen with Jacob Gregory and he is perfect as Korah, the funny sidekick to Johns. The duo make a humorous pair and their bromance is very credible as they squabble and fight but stick together.

Aparna Gopinath

Aparna plays Madhumitha, a tough-looking college student and activist with a soft heart, and she is adequate for her role. The role itself could have used some more work as Madhumitha’s relationship with Johns and Korah and her knowledge of their past is somewhat confusing.

Tovino Thomas

Tovino Thomas portrays Akhilesh Varma, the prodigy son of an incumbent minister, and he is effective as a major obstacle to Johns and Korah.

Others

Lalu Alex and Sajani Sachari act as Johns’s parents and justify their roles in the film; their anxiety over their son’s situation is realistic. S. P. Sreekumar is a joy to watch in the film; though he plays a minor character, his performance is jovial.

Production Values

Music

Gopi Sunder provided very apt tracks for this flick, as always. There are only three songs in the film, which is less than the norm, but they are all quite intriguing and fun. Johny Monne Johny stands out for its catchy lyrics and beats.

Cinematography

The film shifts from the fast-life of New York City to the rundown town life of Kerala, and Jomon T. John does a wonderful job of covering the beautiful visuals of both locales. I recently found out that he was also the cinematographer for Dulquer’s Charlie, so I’m looking forward to watching and reviewing that film as well once I get the chance.

Final Verdict

Because it doesn’t follow any of the routines of Indian cinema, ABCD stands out and is essentially a very modern comedy. However, because of its lack of logical flow and sluggish screenplay, the movie seems to lose its purpose amidst the chaos that occurs in Johns and Korah’s lives. ABCD still has its moments, however, and is worth watching for a laid-back evening of absurd situational comedy.

A Silly Modern ComedyHithudu2016-03-16T00:00:00+00:002016-03-16T00:00:00+00:00/Hithudu-A-Hidden-Gem-of-Realism

I was surprised when I initially found out about this movie, partly because I had never heard of it beforehand, but also because Jagapathi Babu has been a part of some large blockbusters in recent years and it was intriguing to see him playing a major role in a small film for a change. This movie released near the end of 2015 and I’m disappointed that it hasn’t gained much attention because it has some of the best, most realistically developed characters and performances I’ve seen in recent Telugu cinema.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

The story of Hithudu is offbeat from most of the movies that the Telugu cinema industry has been producing recently, focusing on two main characters, Sita Ram (Jagapathi Babu) and Abhilasha (Meera Nandan), and the struggles they face as they try to pursue their dreams and help those around them. While the film does touch on a number of social issues, including the state of income disparity in developing nations and the decaying of ethics in modern society, it doesn’t seem like lecturing and that is mainly due to the development of the unique emotional connection that develops between Sita Ram and Abhilasha. Viplove did a fantastic job directing this film carefully and extracted impeccable performances from the cast; he is a director to watch and I’m excited to see what he will bring forth to the audiences next.

The screenplay of the film alternates between the present and the past, culminating with the point at which the flashbacks catch up to the present. The overall output is artistic, as it highlights the parallels that occurs in both time frames.

Performances

Jagapathi Babu

Sita Ram is arguably one of the best performances of Jagapathi Babu till date. The seasoned actor has been doing some powerful character roles in popular films recently but he plays one of the two main protagonists in this movie. In fact, the title Hithudu, which means “well-wisher”, is about his character. Sita Ram’s strong desire to improve society and mature thinking despite his lack of formal education reminds one of the famous philosophers from history, but he is also a man of action. In fact, his words of wisdom, strong moral compass and tendency to make the first move towards a good change are inspiring and his stubbornness and sensitivity make him an endearing and memorable character.

Meera Nandan

This is the first film I’ve seen with Meera Nandan, who primarily acts in Malayalam films, and I was amazed at how realistic her portrayal of Abhilasha was. This character goes through a major character arc throughout the film as she grows and learns to overcome the obstacles in her life and Meera Nandan showed all the details of this transformation masterfully. I’m looking forward to more of her in Telugu films as well.

Narasimha Rao

Narasimha Rao plays an honest role of a good-natured, albeit impatient, postmaster in a village. His role is especially important during a moment in the second half of the film when Abhilasha feels lost and he does a good job.

Others

Banerjee plays a good-natured naxalite leader who believes violence is the correct answer to the problems in society, but helps Sita Ram just the same as he tries to bring about change without violence. All the other actors in the film were adequate in accurately depicting their characters.

Production Values

Music

Koti hasn’t delivered many albums in the last couple of years but this film’s music is up to the mark. The songs are diverse and suite the overall mood of the film and the background music adds to the emotionally intense moments. Ananta Sriram has penned some meaningful lyrics for all of the songs. None of the songs really seem out of place and each one has something to add to the movie. I personally like the calming melody of Nagumomu.

Cinematography

Bharani K. Dharan is the cinematographer for this film and he does a fine job, especially when depicting the beauty of the rural areas during the flashback. Most of the visuals are realistic, matching the theme of the movie, and rely on some creativity to stay appealing (like eating the moon in the first song, etc.). I thought showing the flashbacks in color while keeping the present moments in black and white was a really effective and interesting artistic choice, as it heightened the effect of the climax.

Final Verdict

I don’t like labeling films as “art films” as this implies that the film is not worth watching by regular people. Hithudu isn’t a commercial film but it is honest and inspiring with realistic characters and some amazing performances. It highlights some of the most pressing problems and troubling dichotomies that people from developing nations like India face and reminds us to stay true to our own moral compass, all while developing a touching relationship between the two lead actors, and is definitely worth watching.

A Hidden Gem of RealismKalyana Vaibhogame2016-03-12T00:00:00+00:002016-03-12T00:00:00+00:00/Kalyana-Vaibhogame-Comedy-Makes-It-Worth-The-Watch

Nandini Reddy is back with an original script this time and, though the output isn’t as well done as Ala Modalaindi, it still provides some fun entertainment with deeper moments sprinkled throughout.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

Note: I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

The story of Kalyana Vaibhogame reminded me of older films, like Happy, where the characters are in similar situations. Most of the characters in this movie are pretty straightforward and small details about them are mentioned throughout the movie to make them eccentric. I wish the director had given more background and justification for the lead pair’s objectives, however, because they come off more as characters with labels than actual people. For example, if Shourya (Naga Shourya) is so passionate about and successful at making video games, why don’t we see him working on anything throughout the movie (like we do in OK Bangaram)? Small details like these would have helped shape the characters even more, adding an element of realism that would have worked well with the rest of the film.

What really makes this film worth the watch is the situational comedy and hilarious dialogues that exists throughout; a majority of the theater was laughing throughout most of the movie. While the film does feel a little stretched at times, this comedy and the feel-good romance leave you with a smile at the end.

Performances

Naga Shourya

Naga Shourya plays the freedom loving video game developer, Shourya. His acting is adequate and works well with the other characters, especially Malavika, Raj Madhiraj, and the actor who plays his grandmother. Like aforementioned, his character would have been more believable if the director had taken care to justify his ambitions and success. Nandini Reddy should have focused more on this and less on establishing the carefree, party-frenzy romeo aspect of his character, which doesn’t really add much to the movie. His transformation is also very rapid near the end of the film and should have been paced better.

Malavika Nair

Malavika plays off the role of Divya very well but, like the problem with Shourya’s character, it is hard to buy that she is a state topper studying medicine. Nevertheless, Malavika delivers and emotes well. Her character’s transformation and internal struggle are more evident throughout the movie.

Raj Madhiraj and Aishwarya

Raj Madhiraj and Aishwarya act as the parents of Shourya and his adorable disabled brother. They both justify their roles, and Raj Madhiraj’s character has some good words of wisdom throughout the movie.

Anand and Raasi

Anand and Raasi perform as Malavika’s parents and it was refreshing to see their own transformation from the beggining to the end of the film.

Others

All the other actors are apt in their roles, though the inclusion of the American model, played by Pearle Maaney, seemed unnecessary. Thagubothu Ramesh appears at the end with a necessary twist, but his role doesn’t add much to the film. Ashish Vidhyarthi continues his role from Ala Modalaindi. I found this really effective as I was a fan of Ashish’s original role in that movie and it was a pleasant surprise to see him in this film as well. It converted what could’ve been a tired and bland conclusion into a comedic one.

Production Values

Music

The music of this film is by Kalyani Koduri and he does a passable job; though the songs aren’t as fun and catchy as his previous soundtracks like Oohallu Gusagusalade and Ala Modalaindi, they fit while watching the movie, especially the wedding song, Chakkandaala Chukka. The intro song, Pelli Pelli, was borderline annoying except for the chorus; overall, it was an okay attempt at something different.

Cinematography

G.V.S. Raju provides some good visuals, especially for the wedding scenes, which seem grandeur and exciting, and the songs, which, other than the intro song, are satisfying.

Final Verdict

I really like Nanidni Reddy’s own style of film making, especially the way she slips in strong ideas, like dealing with a disabled family member or openly talking about menstrual cycles, into a light-hearted family-friendly romantic entertainer. While Kalyana Vaibhogame isn’t near perfect, it still makes for a fun watch.

Comedy Makes It Worth The Watch100 Days of Love2016-03-09T00:00:00+00:002016-03-09T00:00:00+00:00/100-Days-of-Love-Routine-Yet-Entertaining-Rom-Com

This is the fourth movie I’ve seen starring Dulquer Salman and my opinion of him has remained the same since the first one: that he is a very talented actor with good taste. The fact that it stars Nithya Menon only elevated this film higher on my must-watch list.

Note: The subtitles for the copy of this film that I saw went by really quickly, so I apologize if I have misunderstood some of the details of the story. If I end up watching the film a second time, I will come back and update this review.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

The basic story of 100 Days of Love is nothing out of the ordinary, but what makes the film work is it’s engaging narration and comical situations. Stylistically directed by Jenus Mohamed, the movie captures the emotional journey of an underdog as he pursues his romantic dreams and is interjected with enough quirky, yet humorous situations to entertain you throughout.

Performances

Dulquer Salmaan

Dulquer seriously runs the show for a majority of the film and his portrayal of Balan K. Nair, the self-referenced “villain”, is a pleasure to watch. His role is easy to connect to and he emotes well in the emotional sequences as well as the comedic ones.

Nithya Menon

Nithya plays Sheela, a mysterious character for a good part of the film, and the pairing of Nithya and Dulquer is definitely a hit, as it was in OK Bangaram. I did have some qualms with Nithya’s character in the film as her views are not well justified and her character comes off as half-baked. The director or writer should have spent more time on developing her ideologies because she is the major source of conflict in the film and it seemed a little unnatural.

Sekhar Menon

I have never seen Sekhar Menon before, but he plays lovable sidekick Ummar really well. He is present on screen for most of the film and, when he is not, his absence is felt by both the characters and the audience alike.

Others

Praveena and Vineeth are adequate as Sheela’s parents and it was pleasant seeing Vineeth after a long time. Rahul Madhav pulls of a decent Rahul as one of Balan’s biggest obstacles and Aju Varghese justifies his interesting role as a childhood nemesis of Balan’s who provides a major twist in the story. All the other actors were fine, but not memorable.

Production Values

Music

The songs from the film are by Govind Menon, while the background score is by Bijibal, and both of them deliver well. The songs are melodious and classy, but not necessarily catchy, like the songs from Bangalore Days (though maybe that would be different if I could understand the lyrics).

Cinematography

The visuals by Pratheesh Varma really make the film seem fresh, with a mix of vibrant colors and an overall dreamy mood that works really well for the story. It is interesting that this film is also set in Bangalore; I never knew that there was so much fascination for that city and, after seeing Bangalore Days and this movie, I now have a strong urge to visit one day.

Final Verdict

The characterization of the protagonist as a loser and “villain” throughout the film reminded me a lot of Velayilla Pattathari, or Raghuvaran B. Tech in Telugu, and it is this different depiction of the same old love at first sight concept that helps the film make its own impact. Combine that with the beautiful visuals and the lovely performances by the trio star cast and you have yourself an enjoyable romantic comedy entertainer for a rainy weekend.

Since it’s International Women’s Day, here’s a list of the most inspiring and relatable female characters I’ve seen in recent Telugu movies. From independent leaders to aspiring modern businesswomen, these characters largely impact the films that they are a part of, shining more than their male counterparts!

Note: The characters are organized into categories and then ordered based on the release dates of the movies that they are from. There is no relative ordering between the films and the list is not exhaustive; it is a list of the ten female characters that I found most inspiring and/or relatable from the films that I’ve seen in the last decade.

Powerful and Game Changing

Sahasra (Anukokunda Oka Roju)

An aspiring playback singer, Sahasra is seemingly a normal character until you realize that she’s missing an entire day from her life. With such a suspenseful concept, Anukokunda Oka Roju provided Charmi Kaur with her first heroine-oriented role and she plays out the shock and anxiety that an every-day girl like Sahasra would go through in such a unique situation wonderfully.
Watch the movie on YouTube

Jejjama (Arundhati)

A wildly popular film, Arundhati elevated Anushka Shetty’s status in the Telugu cinema industry. She portrayed two characters in this film, one as the grandmother queen and another as the modern heir, and her performances proved that she has the mettle to play performance-oriented roles and carry an entire film on her shoulders. Her portrayal of Jejjama in specific was terrifyingly powerful.

Anaamika (Anaamika)

A missing husband and a recent bomb blast leave Anaamika to solve the puzzle that her life has become. Nayanatara adds depth to Anaamika’s character, making her struggles more relatable despite the extremity of her situation.

Sivagami (Baahubali)

Those who have seen the movie (who hasn’t?) will not be surprised to see the majestic queen of Mahishmati on this list. Her ability to control the kingdom, save the throne and raise both of the princes makes her stand out as the most powerful character in Baahubali. Though originally meant to be played by Sridevi, Sivagami gave Ramya Krishna a new look in recent times and it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing her role as effectively.

Independent, Modern and Relatable

Roopa (Anand)

Though Sekhar Kammula’s first feature film is titled Anand, its story mainly revolves around the stubborn, independent and very realistic character of Roopa. This movie was Kamalinee Mukherjee’s debut in Telugu and with the release of the film we were introduced to not only a heart-touching role, but a talented actress as well.

Seetha (Godavari)

Another well-rounded, natural character from another splendid Sekhar Kammula movie, Seetha is very similar to Roopa in many ways. Maybe it’s because she is played by the same Kamalinee Mukherjee from Anand or maybe it’s because the author wrote the character this way, but, either way, Seetha is still charming in her own right and has her own ambitions that she strives to achieve.

Madhu (Happy Days)

Seeing Madhu transform from a nervous fresher in college to a smart, organized and confident senior justifies her placement on this list. Though Happy Days is told from the perspective of Chandhu, I’m interested in how the film would have turned out if Sekhar Kammula had narrated the four years from her perspective instead. This is also one of my favorite roles of Tamanna Bhatia.

Mahalakhsmi (100% Love)

Yes, she starts of as a village girl obsessed with her cousin Balu, but if you put that aside, Mahalakshmi is a pleasure to watch as she becomes more mature and confident throughout the film while still maintaining her own morals. This is my other favorite role of Tamanna’s and she clearly stands out more than Naga Chaitanya does in the film.

Nithya (Ala Modalaindi)

Nithya is a playful yet innocent character who doesn’t realize her own feelings for Gautham. She speaks her mind, can defend herself from cat-callers and has the guts to cancel a marriage because of her fiance’s suspicions. Ala Modalaindi was the Telugu debut for both director Nandini Reddy, one of the few female directors in Telugu, and actress Nithya Menon. Nithya has proved from her consistently impressive performances since that she is currently one of the best actresses in the South Indian film industry.

Tara (OK Bangaram)

An aspiring architect with strong beliefs that she holds despite controversy, Tara is inspiring for her individuality and the depth in her character that Nithya Menon provides through her expressions. A modern character for a modern film that might not be for everyone, but still manages to impress.

It was hard coming up with this list, not because there were so many options to chose from, but because good, relatable female protagonists are hard to find in Telugu films. Let’s hope that this changes in coming years, because having strong female characters can only make films more versatile and realistic, allowing a stronger bond to form between the audience and the characters that inspire them.

10 of the most inspiring and/or relatable female characters that I've seen in recent Telugu filmsTop 10 - Modern Telugu Romantic Comedies From the Past Decade2016-03-07T00:00:00+00:002016-03-07T00:00:00+00:00/Top-10-Modern-Telugu-Romantic-Comedies-From-the-Past-Decade

I try not to favor one genre over another, but I always find myself coming back to romantic comedies when I sit down to re-watch a film. I mean who honestly doesn’t like a funny, light-hearted love story? Alas, good straightforward romantic comedies are hard to find in Telugu, since so many films try to follow the formula method of including other elements, such as action or family drama, into the mix as well.

Here are ten of the best Telugu romantic comedies I’ve seen in the last ten years that deal with forward-thinking characters, modern relationships and endings that are almost too good to be true!

Note: The films are separated into categories and then ordered based on their release date. There is no relative ordering between the films and the list is not exhaustive; it is a list of my personal favorites of this genre from the films that I have seen within the last ten years.

Fighting for the Family's Approval

Nuvvostanante Nenodantana

Prabhu Deva’s directorial debut, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana is a modern classic when it comes to Telugu romantic comedies and has been remade in multiple languages. Though it follows the cliché plot-line of fun-loving rich boy meets lovely village girl, the film still manages to enthrall its audience due to the lively performances of its star cast, lovely music score by Devi Sri Prasad and an engaging narration.
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Ready

A blockbuster that has been successfully remade in Tamil and Hindi, Ready is a must watch for its comedy, songs (also by Devi Sri) and the cute chemistry between Ram and Genelia, who happen to be close friends in real life. While it may not be the first film to portray the guy resolving family feuds for the girl, it certainly keeps you entertained throughout.
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Bommarillu

With the number of parodies of this film’s climax and the phrase “Bommarillu father” being used in households everywhere, Bommarillu is not only a good romantic comedy, its one of the best Telugu films of this decade in general. With a charming love story, touching family relations and yet another melodious soundtrack from Devi Sri Prasad, this movie has it all!
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Bhale Bhale Magadivoy

A movie that surprised everyone with its success, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is a love at first sight story about a guy who has memory problems and struggles to win his girl’s hand in marriage. Nani’s performance is effortless and his pairing with Lavanya results in a beautiful romance that is further enhanced with the catchy tunes by famous Malayali music director Gopi Sunder. Yet, the biggest plus point for this film is its situational comedy that will have you laughing till the happy ending.

Victims of Fate, Ego and Other Relationships

Godavari

The film that established Sekhar Kammula as more than just a one-hit wonder in directing, Godavari depicts the tale of Ram and Seetha as they fall in love amidst the peaceful and scenic beauty of the Godavari river. With natural performances, relatable characters and emotions and classically influenced songs by K. M. Radha Krishnan, Godavari easily strikes a chord in its audience and leaves you feeling inspired about love and life in general.
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Ala Modalaindi

Speaking of ill-fate, the relationship between Nani and Nithya Menon in Ala Modalaindi will have you yelling at your screen as they wade through circumstances and other relationships while struggling to convey their feelings to each other. Nandini Reddy’s promising directorial debut has a freshness in narration and characterization that elevates the film from a worthwhile watch to a must watch and it has successfully been remade in Bengali, Tamil and Kannada with a rumored Hindi remake in the works.
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

100% Love

One of Sukumar’s best films, 100% Love portrays a fighting relationship between Balu and Mahalakshmi that brings bava maradalu love stories back into style. What differentiates this film from other films is its unique focus on academics, which Devi Sri Prasad (are you noticing a theme here?) masterfully utilizes in his soundtrack for the film. Though I believe the second half could have been dealt with better (as with most of Sukumar’s movies), it still makes for a fun watch!
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Love and Uncertainty

Oohalu Gusagusalade

Everyone knew that Srinivas Avasarala was a talented performer on screen, but it wasn’t until the release of Oohalu Gusagusalade that we saw his mastery in the art of directing. This film takes a simple, pleasant love story with a handsome guy and a sweet girl and turns it into something mesmerizing, finding a special place in its audiences’s hearts. In addition, Em Sandeham Ledu is probably one of the best Telugu melodies in recent times and we can thank Kalyani Koduri for his soundtrack for this film. I’m really looking forward to Srinivas’s next directorial film, Jyo Achyutananda, which he recently finished writing!
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

OK Bangaram

The most modern of all of the movies listed here, OK Bangaram is a Mani Ratnam brand film that artistically explores the concept of live-in relationships. Set in the urban backdrop of Mumbai, the movie is slow-paced, but its power lies not in its narration, but rather in its character development. A. R. Rahman’s masterful music breathes life into this film, cementing its place on this list. This movie was also the Telugu debut for Dulquer Salmaan and I would love to see more of him in Telugu as he has an impeccable taste for selecting films (Bangalore Days anyone?).

Childhood Love Stories

Darling

Prabhas, who normally acts in action films, completely redefined his image with Darling, another successful romantic film by Karunakaran. This film stands out for its risky narration and strong emotional bonds that only grow stronger with time, and is G. V. Prakash’s most popular album in Telugu. From Prabhas’s loose shirts to the snow-covered Buddha statue in Hyderabad, Darling is full of unique moments that will make a lasting impression.
Watch the full movie on YouTube!

Others Worth Mentioning

Happy Days

While it’s not a romantic comedy in the traditional sense, Happy Days covers the love stories of four friends and has many heart touching moments as they learn and evolve over their four years at an engineering college.

Uyyala Jampala

Set in a village backdrop, Uyyala Jampala is another good romantic comedy between bava and maradalu, with very natural performances and a simple idea of learning the value of someone only when you are about to lose them.

Nenu Sailaja

This year was a good start to the Telugu cinema industry with the success of Nenu Sailaja, another romantic comedy starring Ram. While the story is nothing new, the fresh direction of debutante Kishore Tirumala and the realistic, yet effective dialogues make a stylish impact. Devi Sri Prasad delivered another hit album with this movie and the sentiment between Sailaja, played well by debutante Keerthi Suresh, and her father is endearing to watch.

A list of the top ten Telugu romantic comedies from the past decadeBangalore Days2016-03-07T00:00:00+00:002016-03-07T00:00:00+00:00/Bangalore-Days-A-Beautiful-Narration

Do you ever watch a movie and get so involved in the narration that the characters and emotions stick with you even after the movie ends? This is one of those movies.

This was the first Malayalam movie that I had ever seen and it left me with a respectable impression of the industry. In fact, I liked this movie so much, I saw it a second time recently, which did wonders because I understood more of the smaller details of the film the second time around (subtitles can only do so much).

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would like to know the plot, you can read more about it here.

Though the story focuses on three cousins and their families and relationships, it is delivered deftly, making it easy to digest the events that occur while still showing clear character development. Each individual thread of the story is enough to create a whole separate, but by tying all the stories together and focusing briefly on each, Anjali Menon somehow manages to make the combined whole more realistic. Props to her because I would not have been able to tell that this was only her second film while watching. While maintaining a light-hearted mood throughout most of the film, Menon is able to still receive emotional investment from the audience through simple, honest moments that the audience can easily connect to.

The film primarily deals with the idea that love can be unexpected and powerful, connecting two people in ways that seem unlikely, but also addresses other themes, such as finding purpose in one’s life and self-forgiveness. In addition to all of these ideals, there is subtle social commentary about the westernization of Indian culture and the slow decay of traditional roots that occur as a side-effect of urbanization. The film touches on all of these, highlighting the idea that people must change with time and still maintains a flow that makes the film go by quickly despite its long run-time.

Performances

Dulquer Salmaan

Dulquer plays the very individualistic and free cousin who is trying to find and prove himself, and he do so with charm. His expressions are underplayed but powerful for such an outgoing character and his relationship with Parvathy’s character in the film adds a whole new dimension to his own. While I watched Bangalore Days after watching Nazriya Nazim’s cute role in Raja Rani, I found myself searching for more of Dulquer’s movies and, from what I’ve seen so far, he has really good taste in film selection (OK Bangaram, Ustad Hotel).

Nazriya Nazim

Nazriya played the role of Divya, the ambitious, yet adapting newly-wed cousin, very naturally and her expressions and actions are very clear throughout the film. She suited the role really well.

Nivin Pauly

Nivin’s transformation from his traditional, village look to that of a more urban resident is wonderful; though I initially wasn’t a fan of him despite the fact that he was narrating the story, I found myself rooting for a happy ending for the poor guy after all the changes he faces throughout the movie.

Fahadh Faasil

Fahadh plays a very important character in this film since his characterization causes a lot of changes in how the events play out. Because of this importance, I felt like Fahadh did not deliver what his character demanded; his expressions and actions don’t justify the transformation his character goes through. This is one area where better casting, acting or even more specific directing could have elevated the film further.

Parvathy

Parvathy plays a disabled, yet upbeat and successful character, one that is hard to pull off without evoking unnecessary sympathy from the audience while still showing her own internal struggles, and I feel like she did it very realistically. She adapted so well to the character in this film that I didn’t even realize that she was the same actor who plays Pani in Mariyaan until I was half way into the movie. I wish the director could have spent more time depicting her own internal transformation throughout the film, but I realize that would have risked increasing the run-time of the whole movie.

Nithya Menon

I respect Nithya Menon a lot as an actress for her ease, film choices and desire to experiment. It was refreshing to see her in a more glamorous, impulsive role in this film, but I was left hoping to see more of her because of the briefness of her role. Nonetheless, her character is the most integral part of the movie’s major conflict and she justifies it completely.

Others

Isha Talwar has a brief role in the film and she is adequate. Pratap Pothen and Vinaya Prasad are satisfying as the parents of Natasha (Nithya Menon). Kalpana is very entertaining as a “suffocating” mother and provides some comic relief. All of the other character artists do justice to their roles.

Production Values

Music

Gopi Sunder’s soundtrack furthers the effectiveness of the movie and blends well with the overall mood of the film. The lively Mangalyam song introduces the close bond between the three cousins and has become a personal favorite of mine.

Cinematography

You can tell from the trailer and song embedded above that the visuals in this movie are impressive. From the natural and scenic Kerala locales to the busy humdrum of urban Bangalore, Sameer Thari takes on a visual journey that complements the emotional journey that the characters go through.

Final Verdict

Even while watching Bangalore Days for the second time, I didn’t feel bored at all and, while some of that is attributed to the fact that watching a film with subtitles for the first time can cause one to miss a lot of details, it is also due to the simple fact that this is one of the best Indian movies I’ve ever seen. Beautifully developed characters with an even more beautiful Kerala backdrop, music that keeps you humming for days after and emotions that leave you with a strange feeling of satisfaction; the rare satisfaction you get when you have just watched a truly good film.

A Beautiful NarrationWhy we Need More Children’s Movies in Telugu (and India in General)2016-03-06T00:00:00+00:002016-03-06T00:00:00+00:00/why-we-need-more-childrens-movies-in-Telugu

The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 and is currently estimated to have assets worth ~$80 billion. Not only is it listed as one of the world’s most prominent brands, it has completely redefined children’s and family entertainment, from its iconic movies and short films to its theme parks.

Meanwhile, family friends of mine still struggle to find Telugu movies that their young children can watch and relate to. If studios can be so successful in producing quality films for children in the U.S., then why can’t studios do the same in India?

Financially Feasible

The Success of Eega

An S.S. Rajamouli film about the murder of a lover boy reborn as a housefly to avenge his death, Eega released to rave reviews and was an instant hit with the Telugu audience, especially overseas. While people continue to say that the movie didn’t do as well financially, Wikipedia claims that it has collected a total box office of $21 million. Taking into account that it is was a bilingual release that was later dubbed in various other languages, and received many prestigious international nominations and awards, I would find it hard to believe that Eega was not a commercial success. Even when I watched the film in theaters, I remember children laughing at the expressions that were masterfully crafted into the animation by Makuta Effects.

Think Bigger Than Films Alone

Even if Eega hadn’t achieved massive collections at the box office, the fact that it was well received by the audience, and especially by children, means that it could easily be a financial success with marketing and licensing. The character of the Eega and it’s image is a product of the film and this means licensing fees for the sale of any form of merchandise that is branded with the charming housefly. This is one of the biggest benefits of creating children’s films that is often overlooked.

Traditional films don’t have characters that can be easily translated into a brand. Rajamoulli is a gem at this (go watch Baahuballi and then read the upcoming comics, etc.). Children’s movies tend to have unique concepts and characters that can easily be branded onto extensions, ranging from games to lunch boxes. If children can really connect to a character from a film, they will have a tendency to associate themselves with that character, which means there is a benefit for producers of goods that children normally consumer, such as school supplies or clothing, to associate their goods with those characters. If utilized correctly, children’s films can possibly earn more in this manner than normal films do in box office collections, making them an overall bigger financial success.

Benefits for Kids

Educational Entertainment

How effective is educational media? Fairly effective. Research shows that certain educational TV shows have been proven to improve children’s abilities in school. So why do we not have any TV shows that are the Telugu equivalent of Sesame Street, let alone good TV shows that can parallel any of the TV shows that are produced in the Western part of the world? One main reason is that TV shows/serials are primarily seen by middle-aged women in India, so there is not enough demand for these types of shows. On top of that, Telugu TV shows don’t make the same amount of money as English TV shows simply because there is a greater audience for these shows. My argument here is that in recent years, Telugu cinema has advanced considerably. Animation has made great strides, screenplay is becoming more diverse and the reach of Telugu cinema is expanding (think Baahuballi). If movies can make this kind of progress, I hope that in coming years the silver screen will follow suite.

Cultural Connection

This may not be as important back in India, but I grew up in the U.S. along with many other Telugu NRI kids. Many children who are used to Hollywood films and TV shows grow up disliking Telugu cinema. Having more children oriented Telugu films can help change this by giving kids something that they can connect to in their mother tongue.

Why Others Have Failed

Disney has made multiple attempts at producing films in India. While it has had limited success in the North, Disney’s Telugu movie, Anaganaga O Dheerudu, failed to gain the desired response despite a star cast, good production values and large budget and a music score by multiple notable Indian music directors. This failure is mainly due to the disconnect between Western and Eastern notions of children’s movies. To create a successful children’s film in the East, it isn’t simply enough to repeat the same formula while adapting it to Indian culture. Children in India are used to seeing all types of films; they will not be satisfied by the same fairy tale stories that are told in many of Disney’s movies. Children’s movies should have stories about children or young adults, with realistic characters that they can relate to.

We are experiencing a major shift in Telugu cinema. Commercial entertainers are failing at the box office as the audience is starting to crave diversity and authenticity. The overseas market for Telugu cinema seems to be growing every year. If more people involved in the industry, such as the writers, put an effort into creating children oriented stories and films, we can start moving in the right direction with regards to children’s entertainment as well. I’ve seen and scrolled past hundreds of Telugu short films on YouTube but I can’t recall one that was oriented for kids. I don’t think this is because children’s films cannot be intense or creative; it just requires a more out of the box approach to story writing and film making.

Let’s not forget an important sector of the audience. Remember, we were all kids at one point too!

Let's not forget an import sector of the audienceKrishnagadi Veera Prema Gadha2016-03-06T00:00:00+00:002016-03-06T00:00:00+00:00/Krishnagadi-Veera-Prema-Gadha-An-Elongated-Suspense-Love-Story

Nani is an underrated actor in Telugu cinema who has done a number of versatile roles over the years. His last film, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, did wonders at the box office and gave him the recognition he truly deserved as an actor with both great comic timing and emotional depth in his expressions. I'm a fan of a number of his movies, including Ala Modalaindi and Pilla Zamindar, so I was thrilled to learn that his latest movie was still playing in theaters when I came home for spring break.

Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam

I don’t believe in spoiling the plot of a film before watching it. If you would like to read more about the plot of Krishnagadi Veera Prema Gadha, you can do so here.

While the love story is nothing new, the way the relationship is portrayed and the comedy that results is entertaining. The inclusion of multiple twists and suspense in the story line maintains the overall pace of the movie though certain scenes do seem unnecessary and boring. Editing out more scenes in the film would have helped decrease the run-time and keep the movie crisp.

The screenplay reminded me of Express Raja, where seemingly unrelated events interlink later on, so pay attention to all of the details!

Performances

Nani

Nani runs this movie with his expressions and comic timing, but even his charm couldn’t help at the times when the film tested my patience. His chemistry with Mehreen worked out really well, which is very important for this film as the love story justifies his actions and character transformation.

Mehreen

Mehreen was a good debut; there wasn’t anything special, but she did justice to her role and I was glad to see that the director had developed quirks in her character because the story doesn’t really demand much of her. It was fresh to see a stubborn and strong-mouthed female character who didn’t get annoying and her catchphrase “Chepana, nenu chepana” didn’t seem forced (as its counterparts did in Venkatadri Express and Subramanyam for Sale).

Sampath Raj

Sampath has a good amount of screen time as the rule-breaking ACP and delivers. His character is believable and powerful for a majority of the film.

The Kids

Moksha, Pratham and Naini are very cute and have some nice dialogues and scenes in the film, but the way in which their characters transform and get more attached to Krishna should have been dealt with more carefully. Instead of unnecessary scenes, the director should have focused more on this aspect and it would have made the climax even more appealing.

Others

Murali Sharma is adequate in his role, though he really doesn’t seem as dangerous as his character is said to be. Brahmaji has a nice role in this movie that entertains and the scenes with Prudhviraj are also comical. While Satyam Rajesh’s character was mildly enjoyable, it didn’t really add much to the story and could have been removed from the movie without much loss. In fact, it would have been better if the director hadn’t included these scenes and focused more on the character development later on.

Production Values

Music

This movie is Vishal Chandrasekhar’s first major Telugu film and he delivers a decent album. The situational songs and background score work really well with the movie and the song Nuvvante Na Navvu stands out with its lovely lyrics by Krishna Kanth and dramatic music. Ulikipadaku Ulikipadaku is an okay song to listen to, but felt really out of place in the movie; it was too fast paced for the situation and unnecessarily silly.

Cinematography

The visuals were, for the most part, a mix of cinematic and realistic, which worked really well for the overall feel of the movie and elevated the scenes that needed to be elevated.

Final Verdict

With an average story and a screenplay that could have been more fast-paced, Krishnagadi Veera Prema Gadha has entertaining and heart-touching moments, but could have been developed even further with better editing and post-interval character development.

If you liked the screenplay and comedy of Express Raja but wanted a more rural backdrop with slower narration and a touching love story, this is the movie for you.

An Elongated Suspense Love StoryWhat Does the Success of Soggade Chinni Nayana Say About Our Society?2016-03-05T00:00:00+00:002016-03-05T00:00:00+00:00/Soggade-Chinni-Nayana-Extended-Film-Review

Born in the 90’s, I grew up watching many of Nagarjuna’s movies while he was still in his prime. Some of my favorites of his include Manmadhudu, Santhosam, and, more recently, Manam. Needless to say, I was excited about being able to watch Soggade Chinni Nayana while I was still in India earlier this year.

From the teaser and trailer, it was clear that Soggade Chinni Nayana would be a romantic entertainer with a village backdrop. The chemistry between Nagarjuna and Ramya Krishna was just as great as it had been during their prime years and the fact that the film was releasing during Sankranthi with an Anup Rubens soundtrack just heightened the expectations. This is why I was so surprised when I left the theater thoroughly unsatisfied.

Note: There will be spoilers in this post. To skip the spoilers, go to the final verdict.

Many reviews claim that Soggade Chinni Nayana is a perfect family entertainer. My biggest complaint against this is the fact that a majority of the movie is focused on the romance, or lack there of (I said spoilers, didn’t I?), between Ram (Nagarjuna) and Seetha (Lavanya Tripathi) post their decision to get a divorce.

Not Such a Great Family Entertainer

Now I won’t say that divorce and failing relationships should not fall under the category of family entertainment because that isn’t true. The 1996 film Letha Manasulu dealt with similar ideas while still delivering a film that was suitable for an audience of all ages. Soggade Chinni Nayana does not achieve this, mainly due to the characterization of Bangarraju (Nagarjuna), Ram’s father.

Bangarraju’s Character

In the nicest of terms, Bangarraju is a player. He flirts with any girl he sees and, for some odd reason, all girls seem to be perfectly okay with it. He is also very aggressive and solves his problems using either his charm or his brawn. While his main intentions are fair, like his love for his wife (Ramya Krishna) or his family, he has many character flaws that are not only brushed off, but even appreciated by the other characters in the movie.

How to Not Solve a Divorce Problem

The way Bangarraju approaches the divorce and attempts to solve it is a very low point in the movie for me. His first approach is to enter the body of Ram, which he can magically do (most of the magic in this film is taken for granted and not explained), and try to seduce Seetha. This is not only disturbing as the audience knows it’s Bangarraju in control of Ram’s body, it is also just a very bad solution. This couple is on the verge of a divorce; attempting to create immediate physical contact between the pair is ill advised without them resolving their issues beforehand because physical contact will not solve the root of the problem.

Bangarraju’s next solution is to get Ram drunk. This makes no sense and I think it only happened because the director couldn’t find a better place to slip in a song about getting drunk in the movie; a song which talks about Bangarraju hitting on girls and taking them to private places to do “dikku dikku dum dum” (honestly, where do they come up with these phrases?). How does this make Bangarraju appealing again?

Putting Bangarraju’s habits aside, I was also bothered by the advice that Satyabhama (Ramya Krishna) gives to Seetha in order to improve her marriage. The advice reminded me of a handbook that used to be given to housewives in the United States during the 60’s about how a woman should always smile when her husband is home and not hide her beauty in the bedroom. This advice is plain sexist. It is 2016. Women are equal to men and many women are working to pull their own weight. Why should a wife always smile when her husband is home? She isn’t a doll, she has her own emotions. Why should a wife not hide her beauty in the bedroom? She has every right to do what she wants with her body. I was disappointed that Seetha took in all of this advice as if it was perfectly normal.

During the second half of the film, Ram and Seetha’s marriage almost magically fixes itself and it’s hard to believe that it is because of anything that Bangarraju or Satyabhama did. Sure Bangarraju can enter Ram’s body, but he can’t change who Ram is. So what brought this change in Ram? It really doesn’t make any sense. The problem that Ram and Seetha really face is a lack of proper communication. They don’t know how to argue without raising the stakes all the way to a divorce and that’s what breaks their relationship. They need to talk more about how they feel and why they feel that way and be able to convey these emotions to each other in a harmless manner. Not one person mentioned any of this in the movie which made a majority of the movie seem hard to believe.

Was that Anushka? Why?

This movie also had one of the worst cameo’s I’ve ever seen. Anushka Shetty is a talented actress and I know she has a great rapport with Nagarjuna, but what did she really add to the movie? In my opinion, she just made Bangarraju’s character even more flawed as it was very strongly hinted that Bangarraju had had an affair with Anushka’s character before he died in the accident. Why is this okay? Why do we still talk about how great of a character Bangarraju is in this movie?

Imagine a Female Bangarraju

Imagine for one second if Bangarraju’s gender had been switched. If a girl had flirted with all the guys in the town, would she be celebrated for her charm and prowess with men? No, she would be called a slut and publicly disgraced. So how is it fair that we continue to fuel this sexism in our movies? What is the idea that we are giving to our children when we show them these films? What should they learn when we tell them that the guy that flirts with all the girls and beats up people in the street for catcalling, the guy that maintained an affair while still claiming to love his wife, is the hero? Should he be the role model for our kids?

What was Actually Good about the Movie

Putting everything else I said above aside and looking at the film from a pure entertainment perspective, it is still not up to the mark. There is a small comedy track with Brahmanandam that is spread throughout the film and is reminiscent of comedy scenes in other films. The romance between Bangarraju and Satyabhama is well developed. Small quirks, like the “Vassi vadi thassa dheeya” dialogue, stand out. The cinematography is well done by the fabulous P. S. Vinod and the actors did justice to their roles; Nagarjuna really brought the Bangarraju character to life but his portrayal of Ram as a hotshot doctor in the U.S. could have been more realistic. The songs suit the movie but are not very memorable; they remind you of previous songs that Anup Rubens has delivered, so there’s nothing fresh there.

The last thirty or so minutes of the film have the most entertainment, due to the suspense and mystical elements that are introduced. This is actually where the family sentiment really takes hold and you are left wishing there were more of this in the film.

Final Verdict

I have a lot of respect for Nagarjuna’s acting skills because he really made Bangarraju’s character seem heroic and relatable despite these obvious flaws. I also appreciate the director, Kalyan Krishna, for making the ending actually enjoyable, with strong family sentiment and exciting mystical snakes helping Nagarjuna. I wish the movie had more such moments and less of the subliminal sexist ideas. It is sad that this movie is being declared as Nagarjuna’s biggest commercial success because he has been a part of so many other amazing films that are simply incomparable to this one.